By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team has put together its longest winning streak in 11 seasons, earning its sixth win in a row on Sunday, topping Bellarmine 10-1 on Sunday in the second day of the Golden Eagle Classic.
The Golden Eagles (15-6) continue action in the event Monday morning at 10 a.m. as they take on Bellarmine. The remainder of the schedule – Bellarmine vs. Quinnipiac, Indiana State vs. Quinnipiac and Indiana State at Tech – will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the preceding game.
Abby Buettner had a game, going 3-for-3 in the contest with five RBI and two home runs. Her first homer, a solo shot, came with one down in the second inning. The second one was a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth to force the run rule.
Alyssa Arden picked up her eighth win of the season, allowing one run on four hits, walking one and striking out two. Her counterpart, Claire Lehmkuhler, took the loss, allowing six runs – four earned – on six hits and a walk, while striking out three. Megan Murphy pitched the final frame, allowing four runs on four hits with a strikeout.
Bellarmine struck first in the top half of the first as Sarah Ratterman drove in Alexis Hargrove on a single to right. Tech evened the game up in the bottom half of the frame as Haeli Bryson picked up the RBI on a single to short to drive in Mackenzie Fitzgerald.
Buettner's first home run broke the tie in the second, then Fitzgerald came home to score on a two-error play off Sydney Love-Baker's grounder to short as the ball was misplayed at short, then a second error at second base. Love-Baker came home on a sacrifice fly from Bryson to make it 4-1.
Buettner led off the fourth with a double to right, then Savannah Talley hit a home run just on the fair side of the right field foul line in the fourth. The next frame, Bryson, Betts and Kaylan Cole hit consecutive singles, then Buettner drove a deep shot to left center for the walk-off grand slam.
Photo | Jim Dillon
