By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Senior Day turned out to be a great day for Tennessee Tech's softball seniors as the Golden Eagles completed the sweep over Morehead State, locked up the No. 7-seed in next week's Ohio Valley Conference Softball Championship and put together some great performances.
The top of which was Payton Wagner throwing the program's 20th no-hitter in its history and the first since Alyssa Arden threw one in 2019 to top Jacksonville State.
Tech won game one 8-0 in five innings, then topped the visiting Eagles 3-1 in the second game.
The Golden Eagles complete the regular season with a 19-33 record and 11-16 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Tech will face No. 6-seeded Tennessee State in the opening game of the OVC tournament at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria, Ill. The winner will advance to the double-elimination portion of the tournament and will face No. 3-seeded Southeast Missouri at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
It is Tech's second-straight appearance in the OVC tournament, and the first time to make back-to-back appearances in the field since the 2016 and 2017 campaigns.
Wagner came close to throwing a perfect game, allowing a single walk to lead off the second inning. While the game was run-ruled, the Simi Valley, Calif., native went the distance, striking out eight – her best tally in a Tennessee Tech uniform.
Emma Solis took the loss, allowing eight runs – seven earned – as she gave up six hits, walked eight and struck out two.
Sofia Carroll went 2-for-3 in game one, while Jailynn Paderez drove in two.
Tech scored two runs in the bottom of the first as Sydney Kirby's ground out to second allowed Abby Shoulders to score, then Paderez singled through the right side of the infield to drive in Evans. The Golden Eagles plated two more in the second as Brooklyn Stewart doubled in Ella Bishop, then Stewart scored on a throwing error on a stolen base by Carroll.
One run came in during the fourth as Shoulders' sacrifice fly to center field brought in Skylar Sybesma, who was pinch-running for Stewart.
Tech forced the run rule in the bottom of the fifth as pinch-runner Bella Ochoa scored on Paderez' sacrifice fly to right. Makayli Harris grounded into a fielder's choice and Morehead State opted to try to get Kirby at the plate. The initial call had Kirby out, but, under review, the umpires ruled Kirby safe on obstruction. Carroll ended the game with what was officially a single to center field as Bishop crossing the plate forced the run rule.
In game two, Lainey Fitzgerald picked up her fifth win of the season, allowing one run on three hits, walking four and striking out three. Rylie Burney took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits, walking four and striking out one.
Kirby drove in two runs with a solo home run in the bottom of the first to tie the game at one, then a sacrifice fly in the third inning. Abbee Klinefelter drove in Shoulders before that with an intended sacrifice bunt that resulted in a fielder's choice. On the throw home, Shoulders slid under the tag and was called safe.
Following the game, Tech's seniors – Shoulders, Ashlyn Riggs, Kirby and Wagner – were honored. They also caught the ceremonial first pitch from their fathers before the start of the day's first game.
Photo | Jim Dillon
