By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team battled to take a 3-1 lead over Bellarmine, but the visiting Knights scored seven unanswered runs across the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take an 8-3 victory over the Golden Eagles on Wednesday afternoon.
Tech (3-27) hosts Southeast Missouri this weekend in a three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m., followed by a single game on Sunday starting at noon. The games will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano on the call. All games at Tech Softball Field are free to the public.
Olivia Bricker went 2-for-3 from the plate, driving in three to lead the Knights (3-26), while Emily O'Dee drove in two.
Tech collected six hits in the contest, three coming in the third inning to produce the Golden Eagles' three runs.
Gracelyn Woollen had a good effort in the circle, yielding just three runs in the opening three frames before she was lifted for Callie Piper. Following Kaylan Cole, Woollen closed out the contest going 5 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and striking out five without allowing any further damage.
Piper was tagged with the loss as Bellarmine scored four runs on one hit and four walks in a third of an inning, while Cole allowed a run on no hits and four walks across one inning.
After Bellarmine scored the game's first run in the top of the second on a Bricker double to plate O'Dee, the Golden Eagles took the lead in the bottom of the third. Jordynn Shirley drove in Cole on a single up the middle, then Haeli Bryson and Carmen Betts had back-to-back grounders leading to RBIs, driving in Abby Shoulders and Shirley.
The Knights evened the game up in the top of the fourth as O'Dee drove in Kayla Bauer on a single to short, then Alyssa Brock came home on a ground ball to short.
Bellarmine scored four runs in the top of the fifth on one hit and five walks, with a bases-loaded free pass driving in one, a Bricker single to left plating two and a fielder's choice allowing the fourth. The Knights added one last run in the top of the sixth as Megan Konermann drove in Anna Greenwell on a sacrifice fly.
Claire Lehmkuhler claimed the victory, allowing three runs – two earned – on five hits across four innings, walking one and striking out one. Carson Goatley closed out the contest, allowing one hit and two walks as she struck out one in the final three innings.
Photo | Jim Dillon
