By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the final stretch of the 2022 softball season kicks into gear, the Tennessee Tech squad will take on its final regular-season non-conference opponent of the season as the Golden Eagles take on in-state foe Chattanooga on Tuesday evening.
First pitch is slated for 4:30 p.m. Central time. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).
The two teams did face each other earlier in the season, way back on February 19 in the Chattanooga Challenge with the Golden Eagles taking a 4-1 victory against the Mocs. In that contest, Alyssa Arden yielded one run on three hits as she walked two and struck out six to earn her third win of the season. Haeli Bryson, Carmen Betts and Sydney Dukes each picked up RBI in the contest. Izzy Alley took the loss, allowing four runs – two earned – on four hits, while walking two and striking out six.
Since the two teams last met, they've both gone on to similar paths. Chattanooga comes into the game with a 21-18 record and a 5-4 start in the Southern Conference, but lost all three at UNCG – 9-4, 5-3 and 3-2. Chattanooga's last outing, however, was eight days ago as its midweek game at Austin Peay last week was rained out and the Mocs did not have a conference series last weekend.
The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, saw their 11-0 streak at Tech Softball Field snapped in the last outings as Belmont swept Tech in the three-game set with an uncharacteristic weekend. The Bruins run-ruled the Golden Eagles in two of the three contests, outscoring Tech 32-10. Tech is 26-14 overall, 9-8 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
The three-game skid, however, is just a minor speed bump in what has been one of Tech's best seasons in recent years, posting a 26-14 record with 12 games remaining in the regular season with the Golden Eagles winning 30 or more games only 14 times in program history and just once between 2009 and 2021 – that season being the team's NCAA run in 2015.
As a team, Chattanooga is batting .276, collecting 171 RBI and scoring 189 runs. The Mocs have 35 total home runs, including eight for Kaili Phillips, who also has 22 RBI and a .253 average. Emily Coltharp leads the team in batting average with a .395 clip and in stolen bases with 18 swipes in 20 attempts. Olivia Lipari leads the team in runs scored (27) and RBI (23).
In the circle, the Mocs have a staff ERA of 3.34. Brooke Parrott leads them with a 9-4 record and a 2.45 ERA, walking 47 and striking out 60 as opponents are hitting .233. Hannah Wood (5-5, 2.68 ERA) and Alley (5-8, 4.76 ERA) each have five victories.
Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles are batting .291, collecting 209 RBI and scoring 240 runs. Tech has 41 total home runs, led by Bryson with nine, as well as a team-high .408 average and 36 RBI. Mackenzie Fitzgerald (.369, 45 runs, 20-for-22 stolen bases). Abby Buettner (26), Betts (25), Sydney Love-Baker (25), Fitzgerald (21) and Dukes (20) each have 20 or more RBI.
Tech's pitching staff has a 3.83 ERA. Arden leads the way with a 13-9 mark and a 3.80 ERA, walking 42 and striking out 88. Tyler Erwin (9-2, 3.87 ERA) and Bryson (4-3, 3.71 ERA) have combined for 37 walks and 74 strikeouts.
The Golden Eagles remain on the road this weekend as they resume OVC play at Tennessee State.
Photo | Emily Armstrong
