COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The first day for the Tennessee Tech softball team at the WKU Hilltopper Spring Fling was a tough one as the Golden Eagles fell 4-0 to Evansville, then 5-1 to host Western Kentucky.

 

The Golden Eagles (6-8) return to action on Saturday morning as they take on Kentucky at 10:30 a.m. before facing Evansville once more at 5 p.m. 

 

Tech was held to one run on five hits on the day, shut out in the opener as Alina Schlageter and Olivia Evans had the two hits against the Purple Aces. Sofia Carroll also picked up a walk for the three base runners in the early game.

 

Evansville scored a run in the bottom of the first on an error, then a three-run home run in the fourth locked up the game for the Purple Aces.

 

Lainey Fitzgerald took her first loss of the season, allowing four runs – three earned – on three hits, walking six and striking out six over 4 2/3 innings. Hannah Lange closed out the game, throwing the final inning and a third without allowing a run or a hit, walking one and striking out two.

 

Tech had a little better luck in the night cap, collecting three hits as Ashlyn Riggs, Jailynn Paderez and Makayli Harris collecting hits, while Abbee Klinefelter, Ashley Capelouto and Sydney Kirby drew walks with the latter twice.

 

Payton Wagner took the loss, allowing three runs on three hits with three walks and a strikeout in the first three innings. Kyleigh Pitzer threw the final three frames, allowing two runs – one earned – on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

 

WKU scored its first two runs in the bottom of the second with a two-run home run, then added single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth with a solo home run, a grounder back to the circle and a double down the right field line respectively.

 

Tech's lone run scored in the top of the sixth as Schlageter reached on an error at short, advanced on a fielder's choice to get the lead runner, moved to third on a walk to load the bases, then stole home.