COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- A one-hitter by Holly Thomas helped the
Tennessee Tech softball team to a second win over Tennessee State
on Saturday. The Golden Eagles (18-24,7-9 OVC) shut out the Tigers
in both games, taking the first game 8-0 and the second 2-0.
Thomas struck out eight, picking up her ninth win of the year.
That performance was preceded by a six-hit shutout thrown by the
duo of Maddie Schmissrauter and Whitney Cummings. Schmissrauter
pitched five innings and struck out four while getting her sixth
win of the season. Cummings entered the game in the sixth, giving
up two hits in two innings and struck out one.
In the first game, TSU (10-27,5-11 OVC) loaded the bases in the
second, but left all three stranded. That opened the door for Tech
in the third as back-to-back walks set up junior Callie Schmidt who
singled down the right field line, scoring one. After a fielder's
choice added another run, Schmidt came around to score off a single
by junior Lacie Coquerille, putting Tech up 3-0.
The Golden Eagles tacked on another in the fifth when junior
Kaleigh Gates doubled then scored off of another Schmidt
single.
Schmidt earned another RBI as she singled in the seventh following
a double by freshman Chanelle Spalding. A double by Cummings put
two runners in scoring position for Coquerille, who singled up the
middle to score Schmidt. Freshman Samantha Everett then doubled to
left center, scoring both Cummings and Coquerille and ending the
scoring at 8-0.
After leaving the bases loaded in the second inning of game two,
Spalding hit her first career home run in the third to put Tech on
top 1-0.
Back-to-back singles in the top of the seventh and a wild pitch by
TSU pitcher Megan Hedrick put runners at second and third for the
Golden Eagles. Sophomore Brooke Basten then singled through the
left side to allow Coquerille to score her second run of the
day.
Hedrick took the loss in the second game, allowing eight hits and
a walk while striking out four.
Spalding had three hits and three runs with one RBI on the day.
Schmidt went 4-7, scoring twice and driving in three.
The Golden Eagles wrap up the three-game series at TSU Sunday at
noon before returning home to host Tennessee on Tuesday. The first
pitch for that game is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Tech Softball
Field and admission is free to the public.