GREENSBORO, N.C. – True freshman pitcher Lainey Fitzgerald struck out 14 batters as the Tennessee Tech softball team gave George Washington its second loss of the season with a 4-1 victory in the Golden Eagles' first action at the UNCG Invitational on Saturday.

 

It is the most strikeouts in a single game for the Golden Eagles since Danielle Liberatore struck out the same number on April 1, 2017, against Austin Peay. Liberatore also holds the single-game record with 17 two years earlier against Morehead State.

 

Fitzgerald improved to 2-0 on the season as she allowed just one run in the complete-game effort, yielding four hits and three walks. Of her 129 pitches in the game, 77 were for strikes.

 

Her counterpart, GWU's Cece Smith, fell to 2-1 as she allowed two earned runs on five hits, walking three and striking four over 3 1/3 innings. Chloe Green pitched the final 2 2/3, allowing two runs – one earned – on three hits with two strikeouts.

 

Makayli Harris was 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, while Ashley Capelouto was 2-for-3. Abby Shoulders, Alina Schlageter and Brooklyn Stewart also recorded hits.

 

George Washington struck first as Paige Hayward collected an RBI single in the top of the fourth to drive in Ashley Corpuz. Tech responded in the bottom half of the frame as Stewart drove in Julie Martin on a single to left center, then Harris followed suit to bring Capelouto home to take the lead.

 

Tech extended the lead with a run in the fifth as Capelouto singled to third, then an error by the GWU third baseman allowed Olivia Evans to score. One more crossed in the sixth as Schlageter roped a single down the right field line, giving Harris the green light to head home.

 

The Golden Eagles dropped a 9-6 decision to the host UNCG squad. Tech took a 6-5 lead in the top of the fourth with a four-run frame, but the Spartans answered back with three runs in the bottom of the inning.

 

Payton Wagner threw the first three innings, allowing five runs – one earned – on five hits and three walks, striking out one. Addison Abell was charged with the loss, allowing four runs – three earned – in the final three innings on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

 

Salem Ward improved to 7-0 on the season as she threw the final 3 1/3 innings in scoreless relief. She did not allow a hit, walking two and striking out four. UNCG started Reese Byrd threw the first 3 2/3 frames, allowing six runs – five earned – on six hits, walking two.

 

Harris continued her hot bat in the second game as she went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Shoulders, Ashlyn Riggs, Abbee Klinefelter and Sofia Carroll had the other hits.

 

UNCG scored first with a solo home run from Meredith Harwood in the bottom of the second, then Tech took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third with Carroll scoring on an error off Shoulders' sacrifice bunt, then Schlageter's grounder to second to bring Harris home.

 

The Spartans scored four runs in the third with two on errors and the others on a single and a double to left.

 

In Tech's fourth, Klinefelter doubled in Martin, then she came home on a wild pitch. Shoulders' single to right – coupled with an error – allowed Carroll to score, then Sydney Kirby drew a bases-loaded walk to force Harris home.

 

Three more runs cross for the Spartans in the fourth on a single to second, a sacrifice fly and a dropped fly ball. UNCG then got a second home run from Harwood in the sixth.

 

The Golden Eagles (5-6) conclude their action at the UNCG Invitational Sunday against Iona. The game is slated for a 9 AM CT first pitch.