By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – For the three-game series, Tennessee Tech outscored Austin Peay 20-17. However, it was the Governors who took the wins as Austin Peay held off a late Golden Eagle rally to take the series' rubber game on Sunday with a 7-5 win over Tech.
The Golden Eagles (23-11, 6-5 Ohio Valley Conference) return to action on Wednesday for a non-conference contest at home against North Alabama, starting at 4 p.m, to begin a seven-game homestand. Tech will also host SIUE next weekend and Belmont the following weekend during the run at Tech Softball Field.
After falling behind 6-0 after two innings, the Golden Eagles were able to claw back, even getting the potential game-tying run at the plate before APSU was able to coax a grounder back to the circle to end the contest.
A batted ball from Kylie Campbell turned into a two-base error, allowing Brooke Pfefferle and Lexi Osowski to score. Kendyl Weinzpfel drove in Campbell with a double to left center, then an error allowed Weinzapfel to score.
Oswoski made it 5-0 on an RBI double to left center to drove in Megan Hodum, then Campbell singled up the middle to plate Osowski.
In the third inning, the Golden Eagles had an opportunity to cut into the deficit. Sydney Dukes led off with a double to center field, then Brooklin Richardson hit a single back to the circle to put runners at the corners. Mackenzie Fitzgerald pushed Tech's first run across with a single up the middle to score Dukes.
After a fly out to center field, Haeli Bryson singled up the middle. In the process, Fitzgerald and Richardson were caught in extended rundowns – 2-5-8-5 on the first, 8-2-4-2 on the second.
Tech added two runs in the sixth inning as Savannah Talley singled to right, driving in Bryson, then Nicolle Nysted reached on a fielder's choice to allow KaDedra Temple to score.
Campbell drove in Pfefferle in the bottom of the sixth to add an insurance run, but Tech scored twice in the seventh as Abby Buettner drove in Carmen Betts on a grounder to first. Sydney Love-Baker scored the final run of the game, hitting a single to center field to score Bryson.
Bryson took the loss, falling to 4-3 on the season. She allowed six runs – just two earned – on six hits, walking one and striking out one in an inning and a third. Alyssa Arden came on in relief and pitched the final 4 2/3, allowing one unearned run on seven hits, walking and striking out one.
Jordan Benefiel earned her ninth victory of the season, allowing five runs – three earned – on eight, walking three and striking out eight. Harley Mullins pitched the final two-thirds to be credited with the save, allowing one hit and retiring two of her three batters faced.
Photo | Jim Dillon
