By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech split its action in the first day of the Blues City Tournament on Friday as the Golden Eagles defeated DePaul 8-4 in their opener, but fell to Indiana State 13-0 in five innings in the second game to break the five-game winning streak.
Tech (5-1) will take on the same two teams again on Saturday as the Golden Eagles take on DePaul at 11 a.m., then Indiana State at 7 p.m.
Payton Wagner earned the victory, her second of the season, as she allowed two runs on four hits, walking one and striking out two.
S.J. Talley went 2-for-3 for the Golden Eagles, while Abby Shoulders was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Sofia Carroll scored the first run as she drew a bases-loaded walk, then Meaghan Houk delivered a double to center field, plating Abby Buettner and Sydney Kirby.
After DePaul scored on a grounder to first to force across a run, the Blue Demons hit a solo home run in the fourth to make it a 3-2 game.
Tech added three runs in the home half of the fourth as Shoulders drove in Talley and Mac Fitzgerald with a single. Shoulders came in on a Carmen Betts single to right field.
The Golden Eagles plated two more in the fifth as Talley doubled in Houk, then pinch-runner Olivia Evans scored as Fitzgerald's batted ball to left led to an error.
DePaul scored two more runs with a home run in the sixth inning.
In the second game, it was a tough-luck outing for Lennon Spicer as Indiana State tagged the Tech starter for seven runs – three earned – in an inning-and-a-third on five hits, walking one and striking out none. Faith Rush threw the remaining 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs – one earned – on seven hits, walking five and striking out three.
Kirby had both Tech hits in the run-ruled contest.