COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team fought beat for beat with Southeast Missouri on Friday, but all the scoring came early as the Redhawks scored seven of their nine combined runs in the first innings and Tech scored all five of its Friday runs in the second innings as SEMO topped Tech 6-3 in game one and 3-2 in game two.

 

The series concludes on Saturday at noon. Admission to all games at Tech Softball Field is free.

 

In the end, Tech (15-28, 7-13 OVC) edged the Redhawks in total hits 13-12 with both teams tagged with three errors, while SEMO was the beneficiary of nine walks to the two the Redhawks yielded.

 

Abby Shoulders was 2-for-4 in game one with two RBI to lead the Golden Eagles, while Ella Bishop was 2-for-3 with a run scored and one driven in. Brooklyn Stewart and Alina Schlageter picked up the RBIs in game two with Jailynn Paderez collecting two hits.

 

SEMO (21-13, 14-5 OVC) scored four runs in the top of the first inning as Brooklyn Saysoff drove in Sydney Dennis with a double down the third-base line, then Sydney Melton hit a three-run home run. Tech responded in the second with three runs on three hits and two errors as Bishop drove in Makayli Harris with a single to right, then Shoulders hit a two-run single to left to plate Bailee Stack and Bishop.

 

The Golden Eagles were held to four hits the rest of the way, stranding two in the fourth, one in the sixth and one in the seventh.

 

The Redhawks added a run in the fifth as Saysoff collected another RBI with a double to right center to drive in Madison Winkler. SEMO also scored a run in the top of the seventh as Gracie Luna singled in Winkler.

 

Emily York took the loss as she worked all seven frames, allowing six runs – five earned – on six hits, walking five and striking out three. Delaney Kell claimed the win, allowing three runs – one earned – on seven hits without walking a batter and striking out two.

 

In game two, SEMO scored all three of its runs in the top of the first as Saysoff hit a two-run double to center field, then advanced to third on an overthrow to the plate. Saysoff came home as Luna was thrown out at second on a 2-4 play.

 

Tech saw an opportunity vanish in the bottom of the first as Shoulders led off with a single to left. As she was attempting to steal second, she was caught in a 2-4 tandem, but the umpire originally ruled Shoulders safe by obstruction. After a review, the call was reversed, sending Shoulders back to the dugout.

 

What could have been? Olivia Evans followed up with a single up the middle, then a fielder's choice allowed Evans to advance to second and Abbee Klinefelter to reach, then another fielder's choice put Kirby on first, but Klinefelter out at second for what was the second out. A flyout ended the frame with no damage done.

 

Tech did score two runs in the bottom of the second as Stewart's double to left center scored Stack, then Bishop came home on Schlageter's grounder to short.

 

Lainey Fitzgerald took the loss, allowing three runs – two earned – on six hits, walking four and striking out five in seven innings of work. Maddie Carney earned the win, allowing two runs on five hits with a walk in four innings, then Willow Van Haren was awarded the save as she threw three scoreless innings with one hit, one walk and one strikeout.