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.
