Thomas one-hitter lifts Tech to 1-0 win and split at UT Martin

MARTIN, Tenn. – Freshman Holly Thomas pitched a complete-game one-hitter to lift Tennessee Tech to a 1-0 victory in the second game of a crucial Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader Saturday at UT Martin, giving the Golden Eagles a split of the twinbill on their final weekend of the conference schedule.

UT Martin used four Tech errors to claim a 7-4 win in the opener. The third game of the series is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, and could decide whether coach Tory Acheson’s team advances to the OVC Tournament next month.
Thomas (13-14) held UTM to one hit and five base runners in the seven inning contest. She walked three and hit one batter, but didn’t allow the host Skyhawks to convert any into runs. She struck out three and out-dueled UTM’s Paij Lintz (9-10, who tossed a three-hitter with nine strikeouts.

The Golden Eagles scored their only run of the game – which proved to be the game-winner – in the top of the fourth. Kaleigh Gates, who went 3-for-3 in the opening game loss, was struck by a pitch, and moved to second when Whitney Cummings singled. A fielder’s choice erased Cummings, but Callie Schmidt’s single to center scored pinch-runner Taylor Horseman from second for the 1-0 lead

Thomas retired the first eight Skyhawk batters before a third inning walk. She gave up a two-out single in the fourth for the only UTM hit of the game.

In the Skyhawk fourth, Thomas faced her biggest test and got out of it by leaving the bases loaded. UTM filled the sacks with a Tech error, a hit batter, and a walk, but Thomas coaxed a groundout to finish the threat.

After a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, Thomas also worked against the potential winning run after giving up a two-out walk. She struck out Latimer on a called third strike to give Tech the much-needed split.

UT Martin ran out to a 7-0 lead, capitalizing on four Tech errors, and held on to claim a 7-4 victory in the opening game,

UT Martin scored two runs in the opening inning. Megan Williams looped an RBI double into center field to score Megan Van Arsdale from first for the first Skyhawk run. With the bases loaded, the second run came when a fly ball to right bounced out of the glove of the Tech outfielder, making it 2-0.

In the second inning Chelsea Cary connected on her first home run of the season to give the Skyhawks a 3-0 advantage, then in the fourth UT Martin once again benefited from Golden Eagle miscues.

After a walk and a single put runners on the corners, the first run scooted home on a passed ball for a 4-0 lead. An errant throw on an attempted steal sailed into center field, and the fifth run scored.

Another Tech error in the fourth made it a 7-0 UTM lead. A walk and a double put a pair of runners in scoring position, an error in the infield allowed both runners to race home.

Tech fought back, scoring four times in the top of the sixth, but UT Martin’s starter, Kara Harper was able to avoid further damage to record the win.

Taylor Horseman led off the sixth with a walk and Jordan Leff singled. With one out, Kaleigh Gates delivered her third hit of the game, an RBI double to center to make it 7-1. Freshman Whitney Cummings followed with a two-run triple down the right field line, making it 7-3. A sacrifice fly from Katie Betry made it 7-4, but a groundout ended the rally.

Harper (14-7) worked the complete seven innings, walking one and striking out four.

Sophomore Maddie Schmissrauter (10-10), making her first appearance in three weeks due to an injury, took the loss despite allowing just two earned runs. She worked three innings, yielding five hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Senior Kristina Hortert pitched the final three innings and didn’t allow an earned run, giving up three hits and three walks with one strikeout.