By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech tried to battle back on Monday to try to complete the sweep over Southern Indiana, but the visiting Screaming Eagles were able to hold off the Golden Eagles, claiming the 6-3 victory.
Tech (9-7, 2-1 Ohio Valley Conference) still wins the series 2-1 and will return to non-conference play on Tuesday morning as the Golden Eagles host Rhode Island in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. Admission to all games at Tech Softball Field is free to the public.
The Screaming Eagles (7-11, 1-2 OVC) jumped on Tech starter Faith Rush early, collecting three runs on three hits. A one-out double for Caroline Stapleton, coupled with a passed ball, then a double to Lexi Fair plated the first run. Sammie Kihega was hit by a pitch and Olivia Money was walked to load the bases. Hailey Gotshall had the blow, driving a double down the left field line for two runs.
Rush was tagged with the loss as the Golden Eagles were unable to square the game, leaving her as the pitcher of record. She went two complete innings, allowing three runs on four hits, walking two and striking out two.
Tech was able to chip away though. The Golden Eagles picked up one run in the bottom of the third as S.J. Talley drew a walk, then Olivia Evans put a bunt single down along the third base side. Mac Fitzgerald hit a fly ball to left field, but throw in sailed wild, allowing the runners to take second and third. Abby Shoulders hit a sacrifice fly ball to right, bringing Talley in to score.
The Golden Eagles got closer in the fourth as Sydney Kirby led off with a line-drive single into right center, then Jordan Key delivered a double across the way, bringing Kirby home to roost.
USI got the runs back as Kihega led off the fifth with a solo home run, then Money came home on a throwing error as the Tech battery tried to catch her stealing. The Screaming Eagles added a solo run in the sixth as Gotshall had her second RBI double of the game, plating pinch-runner Hannah Long.
Tech scored one more run in the bottom of the seventh as Carmen Betts drove in Fitzgerald on a sacrifice fly to center field.
Josie Newman went the distance for USI, allowing three runs – two earned – on seven hits, walking two and striking out three. Kirby and Key were the Golden Eagles to collect multiple hits with two each.
Stapleton, Kihega and Gotshall all collected two hits each, accounting for six of the Screaming Eagles' 10 hits in the contest.
Lennon Spicer threw 2 1/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs – one earned – on four hits with two strikeouts, while Emily York threw the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
Following Tuesday's doubleheader visit from Rhode Island, the Golden Eagles hit the road to continue OVC play this weekend as they head to Western Illinois for the start of an eight-game road trip before returning home March 29 vs. Lindenwood.
Photo | Jim Dillon
