By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – After taking a 2-0 lead, the Tennessee Tech softball team saw host Austin Peay score five runs in its final three frames to take a 5-2 victory on Wednesday afternoon.
The Golden Eagles (19-21) return to action on Saturday and Sunday as they take on SIUE in Tech's final home series of the season.
Tech collected six hits in the contest with Mac Fitzgerald, Abby Shoulders, Carmen Betts, Sydney Kirby, Abbee Klinefelter and Olivia Evans all picking up base knocks, Kirby's the only one for extra bases with a double.
Starting pitcher Peyton Wagner had a strong outing, allowing a single earned run on three hits over four innings of work. Lennon Spicer was tagged for the loss, allowing four runs on five hits in the final two frames.
Tech wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Fitzgerald led off the game with a single up the middle, stole second, then took third on a throwing error from the catcher on the steal attempt. Shoulders picked up the RBI, driving Fitzgerald in with a single to left center.
In the third inning, Olivia Evans started the frame by reaching on an error at short, then stole second. She moved over to third on a Shoulders grounder back to the circle, then Betts brought her in on a single through the right side.
Austin Peay scored its first run in the bottom of the fourth as Kylie Campbell's groundout allowed Megan Hodum to score. The Govs then took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fifth with a Morgan Zuege grounder driving in pinch-runner Hinton, followed by Hodum's single through the right side of the infield to plate Raylon Roach.
In the bottom of the sixth, APSU collected three straight hits with a Brie Howard single to center field, a Kendyl Weinzapfel single to first base, then a two-run double Mea Clark to left center to plate the lead runners.
Ashley Martin collected the victory in relief to improve to 3-2 on the season, allowing just one Golden Eagle hit over 4 1/3 innings with one strikeout.
Photo | Jim Dillon
