By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
PEORIA, Ill. – As Southeast Missouri recorded the final out of the game, it was a tough moment for the Tennessee Tech softball team as the realization that their season had just come to a close.
As to be expected, there were tears. Teammates had just completed their careers. The season was over and the thoughts wander to next year.
The 7-2 loss to the defending conference champions on Friday was a tough one to swallow in the moment, but that was just the conclusion of the year's journey.
Reflecting on the year, sure, there were ups and downs, stretches of success and streaks of frustration. With everything said and done, however, it was a year of improvement, even after standing as the most improved team in the nation last season.
It takes time to build a program. It has to be nurtured, matured and developed. From Danielle Penner's first steps with the Golden Eagles to the conclusion of her third season with the team, there's no question that there has been improvement. It may not necessarily be overt – last year's team had two more wins and fewer losses than the current squad, sure, but this year's squad also made the longest run in the conference tournament since winning its last conference crown in 2015, standing as one of the final four remaining in the league this season.
The grittiness, the fire, the fight – it was there. That showed with two upset victories in the tournament field this weekend over Tennessee State and Southern Indiana – the two teams Tech lost to last year in Peoria.
With new faces trying to find their way, young returnees trying to create their identity and established veterans trying to improve on what came before, the Golden Eagles continued to battle. Tech was competitive – six games went to extra innings, including a 14-inning affair against the No. 2-seeded SIUE Cougars. The Golden Eagles weren't the ones getting run-ruled, going 7-4 in lopsided contests.
There was nothing for anyone to hang their heads about. Momentum is building and the next step is being made.
Friday's finale started with some promise as the Golden Eagles scored first. After stranding two SEMO runners in the top of the first, Abby Shoulders led off with a double to right center. Olivia Evans moved her over to third on a sacrifice bunt, then Abbee Klinefelter drove her in with a sacrifice fly to left field.
However, SEMO flipped the script in the top of the second. Following a one-out walk to Brittany Affolter, Tatum Gerwitz singled, then Madison Winkler drove in Affolter with a double to left center. Sydney Dennis brought Gerwitz home on a sacrifice fly, then Melton doubled in Winkler.
Tech collected its second run in the bottom of the third as Klinefelter drove in Sofia Carroll on a sacrifice fly to left. However, that turned out to be it for the Golden Eagles on offense as Tech collected four hits off Delaney Kell, who went the distance, yielding two runs – one earned – with one walk and one strikeout.
The Redhawks added two runs in the fourth with a two-run double by Melton, then two more runs in the fifth on a single by Winkler.
Emily York was tagged with the loss, finishing 11-10 on the season as she allowed seven runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out three. Lainey Fitzgerald wrapped up the game in the final 2 2/3, yielding two hits and striking out one.
Makayli Harris, Klinefelter and Alina Schlageter all collected the other two hits for the Golden Eagles.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
