By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
ATLANTA, Ga. – Sunday was a tough day for the Tennessee Tech softball team as the Golden Eagles were held to one run on 10 hits, falling 9-1 in six innings to Harvard, then 7-0 to tournament host Georgia State to close out action at the Bob Heck Classic.
The Golden Eagles (7-6) open the home portion of their slate on Saturday as they begin Ohio Valley Conference play as Southern Indiana comes to Tech Softball Field for a three-game set.
Against the Crimson, Tech scored its lone run of the day in the second inning as Meagan Houk came across to score on Tristen Head's sacrifice fly to right field. Harvard then scored three in the bottom of the second, the fifth and the sixth.
Payton Wagner took the loss, allowing three runs on one hit with two walks and a strikeout across an inning and a third. Emily York pitched the majority of the game in relief, tossing 3 2/3 innings as she allowed three runs on six hits with three strikeouts. Lennon Spicer threw the final third, yielding three runs on three hits and a walk.
Harvard pitcher Katie Arrambide kept the Golden Eagles from scoring as she allowed one unearned run on six hits over five innings, walking two and striking out one to earn the win.
Savannah Fitzpatrick collected four RBI for the Crimson with a two-run double in the second, a sacrifice fly in the fifth and a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch in the sixth before the run-rule was enforced.
Carmen Betts and Jordan Key each collected two hits, while Sydney Kirby and Head also collected safeties in the contest.
In the later game, Georgia State hurler Sydney Boulware went the distance, keeping Tech scoreless on four hits as she walked three and struck out four. The Golden Eagles stranded seven base runners.
Abby Shoulders was the only Tech batter with a multi-hit game in the nightcap with two singles. Sofia Carroll and Mac Fitzgerald also collected hits in the affair.
Carolyn Deady had three RBI to lead Georgia State, including a two-run home run in the first inning.
Faith Rush threw the first two innings, allowing six runs – five earned – on five hits with one walk and one strikeout. Wagner came on in relief and threw the final four frames, allowing one unearned run on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Tech was ruled with five errors in the contest on defense.
