By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
PEORIA, Ill. – The seventh time was the charm as Tennessee Tech found an answer to Lindenwood to take them out in the opening round of the Ohio Valley Conference Softball Championship, winning 7-3 Wednesday morning.
The victory advanced the Golden Eagles into the double-elimination rounds and will take on Tennessee State at the conclusion of the UT Martin/SIUE first-round contest.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).
It was the first victory for the Golden Eagles (23-22) in seven meetings against Lindenwood (25-25).
Jordan Key had the big blow of the contest, collecting a three-run double in the fifth inning, while Sofia Carroll also drove in two runs in the game.
Tech tagged Lion starter Amanda Weyh for five runs on seven hits, issuing four walks and striking out four. She fell to 15-9 on the season. Avery Wapp closed out the game for Lindenwood, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out three.
Payton Wagner collected her ninth win of the season as she threw a strong game, holding Lindenwood to three runs – two earned – on six hits as she walked two and struck out four over 6 1/3 innings. Emily York came on in the seventh and pitched out of a bases-loaded jam to pick up her eighth save of the season – breaking Bonnie Bynum Graham's single-season record of seven in 2005.
Lindenwood dented the dish first, scoring a single run in the second innings as Morgan Gersch scored on Mya Bethany's grounder to second.
Tech, meanwhile, stranded one in the second, the bases loaded in the third, then two more in the fourth. In the fifth, however, the Golden Eagles opened the flood gates, scoring six runs on six hits. Mac Fitzgerald led off with a single, then Abby Shoulders laid down a perfect bunt and beat out the throw. Carmen Betts singled to right to load the bases, then Sydney Kirby drew a five-pitch walk to push the first run across.
Carroll roped a single down the right field line to send Shoulders home to take a 2-1 lead, then Ella Bishop brought pinch-runner Bailee Stack across on a sacrifice fly to center field. After S.J. Talley singled to left to re-load the bases, Key dropped a double down to left field line sending Meagan Houk, Carroll and Talley scrambling for home.
Lindenwood scored twice in the bottom of the seventh as Bethany drove in Emma Daniels with a single up the middle and Chloe Honchar singled to right to bring in Dallis Darnell. The Lions had the tying run at the plate with two down, but York mowed down Ashley Gerber to end the game.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
