By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Tennessee Tech's bats came out in a big way Saturday morning as the Golden Eagles got their revenge on Queens, topping the Royals 8-2 to collect their first win of the season.
Tech (1-7) finished out the Red and Black Classic with a 4-1 loss to host Gardner-Webb later in the afternoon.
With inclement weather expected Sunday, the final day of the tournament was cancelled. The Golden Eagles will continue the season next weekend at the Georgia Southern GATA Challenge against Rhode Island, former Ohio Valley Conference rival Eastern Kentucky and host Georgia Southern.
Against the Royals, Jailynn Paderez had a day, going 4-for-4 at the plate and driving in two, while also scoring a run. Ella Grace Harvey continued on her tear against the Royals as she was 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Ashley Capelouto also continued her hot bat, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Tech got going quickly in the first as Paderez drove in Julie Martin and Alina Schlageter with a two-run single in the middle, but Queens halved the advantage with a run scoring on a throwing error.
The Golden Eagles got the run back and more in the second as Harvey led off with a double to left center. Brooklyn Stewart hit a ball to short and it was booted, allowing her to reach third, sending Harvey home. Ella Bishop's grounder to second base allowed Stewart to come home to make it a 4-1 lead.
Queens scored on a sac fly in the third, but Tech struck for three runs in the fifth as Capelouto doubled home Olivia Evans and Paderez. Capelouto later scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-2.
Tech scored once more in the top of the seventh as Harvey drove in Capelouto with a single to right.
Addison Abell picked up the win as she worked the first two and two-thirds, allowing two runs – one earned – on four hits, walking three and striking out two. Lainey Fitzgerald came in and threw the final 4 1/3, yielding just three runs and holding the Royals off the scoreboard, walking two and striking out four.
In the nightcap against the Runnin' Bulldogs, Martin went 2-for-4 with the lone run scored, while Abbee Klinefelter drove in the tally mark with a 1-for-2 performance.
Faith Rush took the loss, allowing four runs – three earned – on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out three. Ella Wampler threw a third of a frame, yielding a hit and two walks, while Emily York threw a flawless inning, striking out three.
GWU scored one run in the second on an RBI single, then added another run in the fourth on a triple that was stretched into a run on a throwing error. Tech got a run back in the fifth as Klinefelter drove in Martin on a bases-loaded single through the left side.
The hosts put two more marks on the board in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to the circle.
