Golden Eagles face Murray State and Austin Peay in OVC-doubleheaders on Sat.-Sun.
April 21, 2016

Golden Eagles face Murray State and Austin Peay in OVC-doubleheaders on Sat.-Sun.

After winning 2-of-4 games at home, the Tennessee Tech softball team will hit the road to face OVC-opponents Murray State in a doubleheader on Saturday and Austin Peay in a doubleheader on Sunday.

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By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator

COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—After winning 2-of-4 games at home, the Tennessee Tech softball team (16-27, 7-10 OVC) will hit the road to face OVC-opponents Murray State (18-24, 8-9 OVC) in a doubleheader on Saturday and Austin Peay (6-31, 2-15 OVC) in a doubleheader on Sunday.

The Racers host the Golden after taking a quick break from conference play to travel to Nashville to face Lipscomb, who defeated Murray State 6-0. Senior Shelbey Miller leads the Racers with a .304 batting average. On the season, Miller has 16 RBI, two homeruns, one triple, and 10 doubles with a .435 slugging percentage. Another key player on the Murray State lineup is junior Jocelyn Rodgers. Rodgers maintains the second highest batting average on the team with a .300 and tallies a .446 slugging percentage on the season. She has notched 19 RBI, three homeruns, two triples and six doubles thus far this year.

In the circle, junior Mason Robinson leads the Racers with a 13-12 record and a 1.94 ERA (the second best amongst OVC pitchers). In her 162.2 innings pitched, Robinson has pitched 18 complete games including three shutouts. So far this season, she has tallied 83 strikeouts while walking 43.

Murray State leads the series over Tech 10-6, however, the Golden Eagles saw victory last when they defeated the Racers in the 2015 OVC Tournament 6-4.

The Governors are currently on a six-game losing streak, most recently falling in a doubleheader versus Samford. Freshman Danielle Liermann currently leads Austin Peay with a .359 batting average and 29 RBI. On the season, Liermann has totaled five homeruns, one triple, and nine doubles while maintaining a .563 slugging percentage. Another key slugger on the Governor lineup is Kacy Acree. Acree leads Austin Peay with a .578 slugging percentage, while holding the second best batting average on the team with a .353. So far this year, Acree has tallied 16 RBI, four homeruns, two triples, and 10 doubles.

Junior pitcher Autumn Hanners leads the Governors with a 3-13 record on the season and a 4.17 ERA. Over her 82.1 innings pitched, Hanners has thrown four complete games including one shutout, while notching 57 strikeouts and 49 walks.

Tech leads the series over Austin Peay 70-19. The Golden Eagles also claimed victory most recently, winning the 2015 series two games to one.

After a quick break from OVC play, Tech is ready to get back in action in conference play. Senior Sabrie Neeb leads the Golden Eagles with a .276 batting average. Neeb has tallied 18 RBI, four homeruns, and seven doubles thus far this season while notching a .431 slugging percentage. Power in the Tech lineup continues to come from junior Alyssa Richards. Richards leads the Golden Eagles with a .535 slugging percentage, while maintaining the second best batting average on the team (.263). Thus far this year, Richards has notched 29 RBI, nine homeruns, and four doubles.

Junior southpaw Danielle Liberatore serves as Tech's key pitcher with an 11-11 record and a 3.37 ERA. Over her 122.2 innings pitched, Liberatore has thrown 12 complete games including four shutouts while gathering one save. She has already tallied an impressive 172 strikeouts on the season while walking just 61, and holding her opponents to a .231 batting average. 

You can follow the Golden Eagles online on the TTU Sports Facebook page, or on Twitter @TTU_Softball and @TTUGoldenEagles.