COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech had the upper hand early, but the visitors from North Dakota got their bats going and struck often late in game one and throughout the second game as the Fighting Hawks lived up to their name and took both games in Tuesday's doubleheader, sweeping Tech 7-4 in the opener and 8-2 in game two.

 

The Golden Eagles (7-15) return to action this weekend as they continue Ohio Valley Conference play at SIUE.

 

Seven different Tech players collected a hit in the series opener, Makayli Harris put the Golden Eagles on the scoreboard first with a triple to right center to plate Oliva Evans and Sydney Kirby, then a wild pitch allowed Harris to come home.

 

Tech then added its fourth run in the bottom of the second as Abbee Klinefelter scored on Abby Shoulders' grounder to third that became a fielder's choice. The North Dakota defense tried to erase Ella Bishop at second, but the play was unsuccessful, then the attempt at first was not in time allowing Bishop and Shoulders to stand safely after Klinefelter scored.

 

Emily York went scoreless in the first three innings, then Kyleigh Pitzer kept North Dakota (13-12) scoreless in the fourth, but the Fighting Hawks scored three runs – two on a sacrifice fly in right field as Makayli Harris collided with the wall trying to make the catch and the other on a single to left.

 

A pair of sacrifice flies driving in runs tied the game then gave the Fighting Hawks the win of of Addison Abell in the sixth inning. York came back in during the seventh inning, but another sacrifice fly and an RBI single extended the North Dakota lead.

 

York struck out three as she allowed two runs on five hits over four innings. Pitzer allowed three runs – two earned – with two walks and two strikeouts in two frames, while Abell, who was charged with the loss, allowed two runs on three hits in one inning.

 

Unity Nelson came on in relief and earned the victory as she went 4 1/3 innings of scoreless call, allowing three hits and striking out eight. Makaela Carr, who went on to pick up the complete game victory in game two, allowed one hit and struck out two in the final inning and two-thirds.

 

Carr allowed two runs on seven hits in the second game, walking three and striking out six.

 

Klinefelter drove in both Tech runs as she hit an RBI triple in the fifth inning, then hit a solo home run in the seventh.

 

Lainey Fitzgerald only allowed one run in the first three innings, but took the loss as Tech never tied the game. She yielded two hits, walking three and striking out three. Hannah Lange allowed five runs – four earned – with one walk and one strikeout. Payton Wagner threw the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing two unearned runs with two walks.

 

Callie Honig collected three RBI for the Fighting Hawks as she went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Katie Joten came home to score three times after going 2-for-4. North Dakota scored single runs in the first and fourth before striking for four runs in the top of the fifth. UND scored two more in the top of the sixth.