By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Kaylan Cole made the most of her start in the circle for the Tennessee Tech softball team as she held Western Carolina scoreless until the game went into extra innings.
The Catamounts walked the game off in the bottom of the eighth inning to take a 1-0 victory Friday morning in the Alabama State Stinger Classic. Tech (0-2) finished the day with a 16-5 defeat to Kennesaw State in the nightcap.
With rain expected in the forecast on Saturday, the day's games have been cancelled. The Golden Eagles will play its final game in the tournament on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Cole went the distance in the day's opener, allowing one run on seven hits as she walked two and struck out two.
WCU shortstop Bailey Huneycutt drove in the game-winning run in the international tiebreaker as she drove in the placed runner on a single to left field. The Golden Eagles had an opportunity in the visitor half of the eighth as Haeli Bryson was moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt, but the Catamounts coaxed an Abby Buettner grounder to short to hold Bryson and third, then struck out Meaghan Houk to end the top half.
Huneycutt had two of WCU's seven hits in the contest.
Tessa Juett earned the victory for Western Carolina, yielding just two hits in the contest as she struck out seven and walked one. Jordynn Shirley and Buettner collected the two hits.
Tech's defense held strong as the Catamounts stranded nine runners in the contest.
The day's second outing was a tough one for the Golden Eagles as Kennesaw State came out swinging, collecting 17 hits in the game. Designated hitter Pacy Villa went 3-for-4 with five RBI, while Stacey Deputy and Ty Hardeman each drove in three.
After scoring a single run in the top of the first, Kennesaw State struck for five runs in the second and third innings each before the Golden Eagles put together a rally in the home half of the third fir four runs. Makayli Harris walked and Brooklin Richardson drew back-to-back walks, then Jordan Key looped a single into left to load the bases. Bryson delivered with a single through the right side to bring in the lead two runners, then Carmen Betts followed up with a double to left center.
Tech scored one more run in the bottom of the fifth as Ella Bishop scored on a fielder's choice off Bryson's bat – the Owls opting to erase Key on a 6-4 putout at second.
KSU struck for five more runs in the top of the fifth and forced the run rule as Tech was unable to rally in the bottom of the frame.
Gracelyn Woollen allowed six runs on nine hits in two innings as she walked two. Avery Flatford was tagged for 10 runs on eight hits in her first career appearance, walking two and striking out four.
Bryson led Tech at the plate with three RBI as she had two of the Golden Eagles' four hits in the game, while Key and Betts had the other safeties.
