By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Break out the bats, gloves and balls as the Tennessee Tech softball team opens its 2025 campaign on Friday as the Golden Eagles head to South Carolina to compete in the Furman Paladin Invitational.
Tech will take on South Carolina State twice, including the season opener at 11 a.m. Central/12 Eastern, followed by an 8:30 a.m. Central contest on Saturday. The Golden Eagles wrap up on Friday with a 1:30 Central game against Stonehill College. Tech will also play two games against Evansville with one at 1:30 p.m. Central on Saturday, followed by a Sunday morning contest against the Purple Aces at 9:50 a.m. Central.
All game times are subject to change and weather permitting.
South Carolina State finished 12-29 last season with an 8-13 record in the MEAC. As a team, the Lady Bulldogs batted .222 on the season with 74 total RBI and 95 runs scored. The team had 27 doubles, four triples and five home runs while striking out 171 times. Their top returning batter stands as Taylor Ames-Alexander, who hit .233 with 12 RBI and 13 runs scored. The Lady Bulldogs also return top base-stealer Madison Boyd, who was 8-for-9 on swipes.
SCSU had a team earned run average of 5.02, walking 123 and striking out 132. Destiny Calloway is their leading returner, posting a 3-7 record last season with a 4.12 ERA and striking out 35.
Stonehill College finished 14-37 last season with a 4-20 record in the Northeast Conference. As a team, the Skyhawks batted .236 with 135 total RBI and 154 runs scored. The team had 44 doubles, two triples and 10 home runs. Shannon Conte is their top returning producer, hitting .303 last season with 24 RBI, four home runs and 16 runs scored.
The Skyhawks had a 7.21 ERA with 127 strikeouts to 166 walks. Alexa Hospodar is Stonehill's top returner, posting a 5-8 record in 26 appearances with a 5.69 ERA, walking 49 and striking out 30.
Evansville finished 16-36 last season with a 10-17 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference. As a team, the Purple Aces batted .250 with 167 RBI and 182 runs scored with 27 home runs and return their top three hitters – Zoe Frossard (.301, 13 RBI), Jess Willsey (.285, four HR, 23 RBI) and Brooke Voss (.270, six HR, 18 RBI).
UE had a team ERA of 5.54 with 201 walks to 133 strikeouts. Their top pitcher last season, Sydney Weatherford, returns for another campaign after recording an 8-10 last season with a 3.42 ERA, walking 45 and striking out 28.
The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, were ranked the top turnaround team in Division I this past season by D1Softball.com as Tech improved to a 23-24 record and 12-13 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Tech batted .286 last season with 207 RBI and 16 home runs. It returns Sydney Kirby as its top producer from a year ago, who batted .296 with 36 RBI, three home runs and 12 runs scored.
In the circle, Tech had a .383 ERA with 124 walks and 184 strikeouts. Leading pitchers Emily York (8-5, 2.52 ERA) and Payton Wagner (9-4, 2.69 ERA) return for another season for the Golden Eagles.
Following this week's tournament, Tech returns to the road next week for the Army Columbus Classic.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
