Golden Eagles best Morehead State in two games on Saturday
A late run rally in game one and a two-run homerun from Leigh Thomas in game two were amongst the bright spots in the Tennessee Tech softball team’s doubleheader sweep over Morehead State on Saturday afternoon.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 1 |
|
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | X | 6 | 6 | 3 |
By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—A late run rally in game one and a two-run homerun from Leigh Thomas in game two were amongst the bright spots in the Tennessee Tech softball team's (21-29, 12-11 OVC) doubleheader sweep over Morehead State (23-24, 10-11 OVC) on Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles scored first in game one, taking the 2-0 lead over the Golden Eagles in the top of the third inning when Dana Hutchins hit an RBI double to right center and then teammate Robyn Leighton followed suit with her own RBI double down the third base line. Tech cut the score to 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning when senior Olivia Bennett hit an RBI single to center field to drive in Sabrie Neeb.
Morehead State continued to fight hard adding another run in the top of the sixth, taking advantage of a wild pitch from southpaw Danielle Liberatore to extend the Eagle lead to 3-1. The Golden Eagles refused to relent and notched one more run in the bottom of the sixth when junior Sarah Freels singled down the first base line to drive in LaSala and again cut the Morehead State lead down to one at 3-2.
Into the bottom of the seventh, Tech kept their spirits up in hopes of a comeback. The Golden Eagles opened the inning with a ground out, a walk, and then a fly out to put them down two off-the-bat with one on. Callen Griffin stepped up to the plate and reached on an Eagle fielding error, now leaving runners on first and third with two down. An illegal pitch by Mackenzie Grossman kept the Tech run alive tying the game up at 3-3 with two down and freshman Gabby LaSala coming to the plate. LaSala stepped up to the dish and fired an RBI single through the left side to walk off with a 4-3 Golden Eagle victory in game one.
Danielle Liberatore (13-12) saw victory for Tech pitching the complete seven innings and allowing three runs off of six hits while retiring 11. Grossman (8-15) suffered the loss for Morehead State, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing four runs (one earned) off of seven hits.
In game two, the Eagles once again struck first, notching a run in the top of the second off of a sacrifice fly from Lizzy Margagliotti. However, pumped up off a game one win, the Golden Eagles quickly responded to the Morehead State lead notching one run in the bottom of the second off of a Cortney Fry sacrifice fly to tie things up at 1-1.
The Eagles regained the lead in the top of the fourth when Laine Simmons hit an RBI single down the left field line to now lead 2-1, however, it did not last long. Tech came into the bottom of the fourth ready to battle notching five runs off of a two-run homerun from Thomas, and RBI singles from Griffin and LaSala to take the 6-2 lead.
Morehead State tried to get things going again in the top of the fifth and loading the bases in the top of the seventh with two outs. However, Liberatore returned to the circle to retire the next Morehead batter in three pitches, securing a 6-3 Golden Eagle victory.
Hannah Weaver (4-9) notched the win for Tech, while Liberatore racked up her third save on the season. Weaver pitched 5.1 innings allowing three runs (two earned) off of eight hits. Allison Rager (12-6) suffered the loss for the Eagles pitching 3.0 innings and allowing four runs off of four hits.
Tennessee Tech and Morehead State will close out the series on Sunday with a rubber game at 1 p.m. at the Tech softball field.
