Tech continues tournament schedule at the Frost Classic Inspired by Memorial
The Tennessee Tech softball team will be taking part in the Frost Classic Inspired by Memorial beginning this Friday following a four-day layoff from competition.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Tech softball team will be taking part in the Frost Classic Inspired by Memorial beginning this Friday following a four-day layoff from competition. The Golden Eagles were originally scheduled to play a home doubleheader against Middle Tennessee Sate on Wednesday; however, poor field conditions forced the game to be postponed.
So far this season, Tech is 2-3 overall following back-to-back wins in the team's final two games in last weekend's Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament hosted by Kennesaw State. After three losses to begin the tournament, TTU found its groove against Alabama State as Holly Thomas shut down the Hornets in a 7-0 victory. One day later, Thomas again took the ball and led TTU to a 9-1 win over host Kennesaw State.
Thomas and teammate Anna Zdroik were named to the Phyllis Rafter Memorial All-Tournament Team for their performances over the weekend. Thomas finished the tournament with a 2-1 record and 2.19 earned run average with 20 strikeouts in just 16.0 innings of work. Zdroik delivered a pair of clutch hits in Tech's two victories as she knocked in four RBIs and hit .333 for the tournament. After five games, Zdroik leads the team with a .500 slugging percentage.
The duo will lead TTU into the Frost Classic this weekend where the Golden Eagles will play five games in three days. On Friday, Tech takes on Miami (Ohio) and Oakland before playing Wright State and Kansas on Saturday. On Sunday, the Golden Eagles wrap up the Chattanooga tournament with a game against East Tennessee State.
ETSU (4-3) is the lone Tech opponent this weekend with a winning record. Miami (Ohio) (0-2) and Oakland (1-4) have just one win combined coming into the tournament, giving the Golden Eagles an early opportunity to move over .500 with a pair of wins.
In addition to Zdroik, the middle of the Tennessee Tech lineup has been impressive to start the season. Callie Schmidt, Whitney Cummings and Chanelle Spalding have hit in the three, four and five spots in the lineup each of the past four games and rank first, second and third on the team in batting average. Schmidt and Cummings are pacing the team at .385, while Spalding is right behind at .357.
Tech has been forced to play without Lacie Coquerille, a First Team All-OVC selection last season, to start the season. However, freshman Melody Christian has filled in admirably, batting .333 out of the leadoff spot while being successful on her lone stolen base attempt. Christian is one of six Golden Eagles to have started all five games last weekend.
The action this weekend begins at 2 p.m. on Friday when Tech plays Miami (Ohio) and wraps up with an 11:30 a.m. on Sunday against East Tennessee State.
Fans can keep updated with all of the games at the Frost Classic at the tournament's Web page, which also has links to live stats for each game. Click here to visit the Web page.
