By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Tennessee Tech softball team was able to get some hits on the opening day of the season, but just couldn't string them together at the right time as the Golden Eagles fell 6-3 to Howard and 6-2 to host Campbell on the first day of the Campbell Stampede.
The Golden Eagles (0-2) face the same two teams on Saturday as Tech takes on Howard at 11:30 AM and Campbell at 4:30 PM.
Olivia Evans went 3-for-5 on the day while drawing three walks, while Abbee Klinefelter went 3-for-7 with a walk as both Tech sluggers led the way in hits and both drove in a run. Ashley Capelouto drove in two runs as she went 2-for-7 at the plate, both in the morning contest against the Bison.
In all, the Golden Eagles were able to collect 13 hits in the two games, but were held to five total runs.
Emily York took the loss in the opener, allowing five runs – three earned – on five hits over the first 3 2/3 innings as she walked three and struck out five. Faith Rush came on in relief, allowing one run on seven hits, walking two and striking out two.
Howard struck twice in the first with a run on a wild pitch, then a throwing error on a stolen base attempt allowed the second to cross. Tech cut the deficit in half as a wild pitch with the bases loaded allowed Alina Schlageter to score.
An outfield error brought in a Bison run in the third, then Howard struck for two more in the fourth as a triple brought one in, then a double steal allowed Lauryn Jones to swipe home to make it 5-1. The Bison repeated the double steal as Maryn Jordan scored from third as Wisdom Colbert took second.
With Howard's scoring completed, the Golden Eagles tried for a rally as Capelouto drove in Klinefelter from first with a double up the middle in the fifth. Capelouto picked up her second RBI in the bottom of the seventh, driving in Bailee Stack before Howard was able to get the last out to secure the victory.
Julia Holt claimed the victory for the Bison in relief as she threw the final five frames, allowing two runs – one earned – on four hits, walking one and striking out five.
Campbell tagged the Golden Eagles early in the second game as the Camels struck for four runs in the bottom of the first with a knock to third driving in one, a bases-loaded walk for the second, then a two-run single to center field.
Tech answered as Evans brought Schlageter home in the third with a double to left center to make it 4-1. However, the Camels' Allyiah Swiney went deep with a 1-1 pitch to deep center for a solo shot to make it 5-1 in the fourth.
Both teams scored their final runs of the game in the fifth as Klinefelter singled in Stack, but Campbell got an RBI grounder from Grace Kealy to drive in Charlie Montgomery.
Lainey Fitzgerald took the loss, going the first two-thirds of an inning with four runs allowed on three hits with three walks and a strikeout. Addison Abell went the remainder, allowing two runs on four hits with a walk.
