Carmen Betts

• Article
• May 05, 2023

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Without question, the 2023 season for the Tennessee Tech softball team has been a learning experience. Through a lot of ups and downs, the Golden Eagles have faced a tough road with one of the most difficult non-conference slates they’ve faced, while working around a lineup with young players and injuries. As the Tech softball team closes out the season this weekend at Southern Indiana, the Golden Eagles may not have a spot to play for in next week’s Ohio Valley Conference tournament in Oxford, Ala., but Tech does have a lot to play for in itself. With just three departing seniors, the Golden Eagles look to build a solid foundation for the next year, building momentum to get back to its footing.

• Article
• April 30, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the Tennessee Tech softball team honored its senior players in its home finale against Tennessee State on Sunday, it was a game that seemed to feature everything from big defensive plays to big at-bats. It also seemed to echo the course of the Golden Eagles’ season as it was a back-and-forth contest then a fight to the finish. Trailing by one run heading into the seventh inning, Tennessee State struck for four runs in the top of the frame as light rain started to fall at Tech Softball Field and the Tigers were able to hold on for the 15-10 victory on Sunday afternoon.

• Article
• April 29, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Kaylan Cole picked up her fourth win of the season on Saturday and third in her last five appearances as the Tennessee Tech junior kept Tennessee State off the scoreboard until the seventh inning to claim a 7-1 victory in the first game of the doubleheader at Tech Softball Field. It was one big inning propelling the Golden Eagle offense with a six-run fifth inning, but it was the reverse in game two at the Tigers scored four runs in the fifth and two in the seventh to break a 1-1 tie and earn a split with a 7-1 decision in the nightcap. Tech (6-41, 2-18 Ohio Valley Conference) will play TSU (17-24-1, 8-11 OVC) in the weekend finale for Senior Day on Sunday. Callie Piper, Sydney Dukes and Haeli Bryson will be recognized before the contest, scheduled for 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano on the call.

• Article
• April 28, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team will close the book on the home portion of its schedule this weekend as the Golden Eagles entertain Tennessee State for a three-game set with a Saturday doubleheader and a single game on Sunday. First pitch for both days is set at 1 p.m. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano on the call. Sunday will also be Senior Day for three members of the Golden Eagle team as Haeli Bryson and Sydney Dukes will be honored, as well as recognition for Callie Piper, who returned for her final season of eligibility after being honored last season.

• Article
• April 23, 2023

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – After the Tennessee Tech softball squared things in the fifth inning, SIUE scored two runs in the home half of the frame, proving to be the difference in Sunday’s series finale as the Cougars won 3-1. Tech (5-40, 1-17 Ohio Valley Conference) returns to action on Saturday as it hosts Tennessee State in its final home series of the season. All games at Tech Softball Field are free to the public.

• Article
• April 21, 2023

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Tennessee Tech got a momentum boost on Tuesday as the Golden Eagle softball team took a win from East Tennessee State to end an 18-game losing streak. Now, Tech looks to turn that into some conference success as the Golden Eagles (4-38, 0-15 Ohio Valley Conference) heads to Edwardsville to take on SIUE (18-22, 4-9 OVC). The three-game series begins with a 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, followed by a single game at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The three games will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).

• Article
• April 17, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the 2023 Tennessee Tech softball slate starts to round into the home stretch with 11 remaining games in the regular season, the Golden Eagles will host their final non-conference foes on Tuesday as East Tennessee State comes into town for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start. All games at Tech Softball Field are free to the public.

• Article
• April 15, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With the uphill battle the Tennessee Tech softball team is fighting this season, the Golden Eagles took a big step toward improvement. Even though Eastern Illinois did claim the victories in the final two games of the series to take the sweep, Tech didn’t go down without a fight. The Golden Eagle defense, powered by a solid performance from Kaylan Cole, stranded 14 Eastern Illinois runners in a 3-2 defeat in game one, while Callie Piper, in a complete game effort, kept Tech within reach until the Panthers scored runs in the final three innings to take a 7-2 win in the finale. Tech (3-37, 0-15 Ohio Valley Conference) returns to action for its final non-conference midweek action of the season on Tuesday as it hosts East Tennessee State, first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. from Tech Softball Field.

• Article
• April 14, 2023

COOKEVILLE – Tennessee Tech tried its best to keep the game going on Friday evening, but Eastern Illinois’ offensive assault in the early frames proved too much to overcome as the Panthers took the first of the weekend’s three games 13-4 in five innings. The series concludes on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Dylan Vazzano will have the call on ESPN+ (subscription required). Lindy Milkowski led Eastern Illinois (22-15, 10-2 Ohio Valley Conference) as she drove in five runs in the contest, going 3-for-3 at the plate with two home runs. Kendall Grover also went 3-for-3.

• Article
• April 13, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the Ohio Valley Conference race enters its final four weekends of the regular season, the Tennessee Tech softball team will welcome in current league No. 2 Eastern Illinois for a three-game series starting on Friday. Tech will play the Panthers at 4 p.m. on Friday, while the series will conclude on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano on the call.

• Article
• April 08, 2023

MARTIN, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech was one out away from claiming its first Ohio Valley Conference win  of the season, but UT Martin tied the game up in the bottom of the seventh with a two-out, two-run single from Maddi Long, then took the victory in extra innings as Kaci Fuller drove in Kennedy Brown for the walk-off run on a ground out to give the Skyhawks the series sweep on Saturday, winning the finale 5-4 in eight innings. UT Martin also won the first game 6-2. The Golden Eagles fall to 3-34, 0-12 in the OVC, while UT Martin improved to 15-17, 8-6 in the league.

• Article
• April 07, 2023

MARTIN, Tenn. – After a six-run outburst by UT Martin in the opening inning, the Tennessee Tech softball team battled back to cut the deficit to two before the Skyhawks erupted again in the fifth and sixth innings to take the first of three games 10-4 on Friday afternoon. The series concludes on Saturday as the Golden Eagles (3-32, 0-10 OVC) take on UT Martin in a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. The games will be available on ESPN+ (subscription required).

• Article
• April 06, 2023

MARTIN, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech continues the softball slate this weekend as the Golden Eagles travel to UT Martin for an Easter weekend series. The two teams will play one game on Friday starting at 2 p.m., then will take on the Skyhawks in a doubleheader on Saturday with a noon start time. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).

• Article
• April 03, 2023

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech gets back into non-conference play on Tuesday night as the Golden Eagle softball team heads down the interstate to take on Lipscomb. Game time is set for 6 p.m. The Golden Eagles (3-30) are trying to snap a 10-game losing streak with the last victory coming on March 14 in the doubleheader sweep over Western Illinois. Nine of the 10 losses have come in conference play, including a weekend sweep against Southeast Missouri with the Redhawks winning 11-0, 9-1 and 10-0 – all in five innings. Tech had five hits across the three games.

• Article
• March 31, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Long-time rivals in the Ohio Valley Conference, it’s always interesting to see what happens when Southeast Missouri and Tennessee Tech square off. And – in recent years – it seems like the Redhawks and the Golden Eagles have faced each other in Cookeville with the last regular-season meeting away from the Tech Softball Field coming in 2018 with the last eight regular-season contests being played in Cookeville, as is the next three. First pitch for the three-game series is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday as the first game of a doubleheader, while Sunday’s single game is slated for noon. Admission to all games at Tech Softball Field is free.

• Article
• March 29, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team battled to take a 3-1 lead over Bellarmine, but the visiting Knights scored seven unanswered runs across the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take an 8-3 victory over the Golden Eagles on Wednesday afternoon. Tech (3-27) hosts Southeast Missouri this weekend in a three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m., followed by a single game on Sunday starting at noon. The games will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano on the call. All games at Tech Softball Field are free to the public.

• Article
• March 28, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team returns to action on Wednesday as the Golden Eagles welcome in Bellarmine for the second straight season. First pitch against the Knights is scheduled for 3 p.m. The game is slated to be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano on the call. Admission to all games at Tech Softball Field is free to the public.

• Article
• March 23, 2023

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Tennessee Tech softball team will make its first trip ever to Lindenwood to take on the Lions in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference set. Saturday’s doubleheader is slated for a noon start, while there will also be a single game on Sunday at noon. Lindenwood enters the weekend with a 6-17 record, including an 0-5 mark in the OVC. Tennessee State swept the Lions 14-1, 7-1 and 4-2, then fell twice at Southern Indiana, with the first game on Saturday wiped out. The Screaming Eagles won 8-0 and 7-4.

• Article
• March 19, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. ? Tennessee Tech scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 6-1 lead over Morehead State, but the visiting Eagles responded for six runs of their own in the fifth. Tech tied the game in the bottom half, but MSU scored the go-ahead runs in the sixth and came away with a 9-7 victory to complete the sweep on Sunday. Tech (3-23, 0-3 Ohio Valley Conference) returns to action this weekend on the road at OVC newcomer Lindenwood.

• Article
• March 18, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Morehead State pulled away late in the first contest, then struck for seven runs in the second as the visiting Eagles took both games in the doubleheader on Saturday. The Golden Eagles (3-22, 0-2 Ohio Valley Conference) close out their first league series of the season on Sunday, starting at 12 p.m. Nicolle Nysted drove in two of Tech’s three runs in the contest, while Savannah Talley had the only multi-hit game among the seven Golden Eagle safeties, collecting two.

• Article
• March 17, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After a big midweek doubleheader sweep over Western Illinois, the Tennessee Tech softball team now sets its sights on Ohio Valley Conference play as the Golden Eagles entertain Morehead State this weekend. First pitch in Saturday’s doubleheader is set for 1 p.m., while the series concludes on Sunday with a noon start. Morehead State enters the weekend with a 6-9 record, opening the OVC slate last week at home against Southern Indiana. The host Eagles were saddled with bookending losses to the Screaming Eagles as USI won 6-4 and 9-5. Morehead won the sandwiched game 6-5.

• Article
• March 13, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Fresh off of hosting their own tournament this past weekend, the Tennessee Tech softball team will continue its non-conference slate on Tuesday as the Golden Eagles will bring in Western Illinois for a pair, starting at 3 p.m. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Roger Ealey on the call. The Fighting Leathernecks come into Cookeville on a 10-game losing streak, going 0-5 this past weekend at the MTSU invitational with two losses to the host Blue Raiders and defeats at the hands of Green Bay, Southern Illinois and Appalachian State. Their last victory came on Feb. 26 in a 9-6, 10-inning win at Ohio Valley Conference newcomer Lindenwood.

• Article
• March 11, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team closed out its tournament on Saturday with some optimistic moments for the offense as the Golden Eagles collected 16 hits between both contests. Kaylan Cole knocked a ball out of the park for Tech’s first home run at home, but Ohio was able to respond to take an 8-3 victory in the closing game. The day’s first game saw Robert Morris score 10 runs in the fifth inning on four hits, five walks and three errors to force the run-rule in a 12-3 defeat. The Golden Eagles (1-20) return to action on Tuesday as they take on Western Illinois in a midweek doubleheader, starting at 3 p.m.

• Article
• March 10, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Finally back on their home field for the first time this season, the Tennessee Tech softball team looked to pick up a couple of wins on the first day of the Tennessee Tech Tournament, but Ohio and Robert Morris were able to stave off the Golden Eagles as the Bobcats topped Tech 4-1, then the Colonials followed suit in the day’s final game 12-3 in five innings. Tech (1-18) returns to action on Saturday as the Golden Eagles take on Robert Morris at approximately 12:30 p.m., followed by Ohio at 3 p.m.

• Article
• March 09, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A month into the season and the Tennessee Tech softball team will be taking the field for the first time this year as the Golden Eagles host Ohio and Robert Morris in the Tennessee Tech Tournament. The round-robin event starts at 10 a.m. on Friday as Robert Morris takes on Ohio. The Golden Eagles will play in the second two games of the day, taking on Ohio at 12:30 p.m. and Robert Morris at 3 p.m. Saturday’s action will see the Colonials and the Bobcats at 10 a.m., followed by the Golden Eagles taking on Robert Morris at 12:30 p.m. and Ohio at 3 p.m.

• Article
• March 07, 2023

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team goes way back with the University of Tennessee. The all-time series dates back to 1996, and while the Golden Eagles are still looking for the first victory against the Lady Vols, Tech has had some close battles, including a pair of 2-0 losses in 2004 at Tyson Park, a 1-0 defeat against Monica Abbott and a 3-0 loss in a doubleheader at Tech Softball Field in 2005, then a 1-0 loss at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville. The 24th meeting against the No. 4-ranked Lady Vols comes Wednesday night at 5 p.m. Central from Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+ (subscription required).

• Article
• March 05, 2023

AUBURN, Ala. – The offense started to shine through for the Golden Eagles on Saturday as Tech combined for 16 runs in the June B. Moore Memorial. Tech (1-13) fell in both games, dropping a 15-10 decision to Bowling Green, but gave No. 19 Auburn a scare as the Golden Eagles scored six – the second-most allowed by the Tigers so far this year – as the hosts topped Tech 11-6.

• Article
• March 05, 2023

AUBURN, Ala. – Tennessee Tech softball closed out its action at the Jane B. Moore Memorial on Sunday, falling 8-0 to South Alabama and 5-1 against Bowling Green. Tech (1-15) collected two hits against the Jaguars (13-7) as Jordynn Shirley had a single and Nicolle Nysted, who was named to the event’s All-Tournament team, hit a double.

• Article
• February 19, 2023

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Abby Shoulders picked up three of Tennessee Tech’s five RBI and Callie Piper put together a strong outing as the Golden Eagles picked up the first victory in the Danielle Penner era, topping College of Charleston 8-3 on Sunday. Piper picked up her first career victory in the circle as she went five innings, allowing three runs on eight hits. She walked one and struck out two. Kaylan Cole came on in the final two frames and shut the door, pitching two scoreless innings with two hits and two walks.

• Article
• February 18, 2023

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Callie Piper took a tough-luck loss as she hurled a strong complete-game effort against Canisius on Saturday in the College of Charleston Cougar Classic. The Golden Griffins retook the lead in the top of the seventh inning to take a 4-3 victory over the Golden Eagles, then the host Cougars topped Tech 6-3 in the nightcap. The Golden Eagles fall to 0-6 on the season and will complete the Cougar Classic on Sunday with one more contest against the host College of Charleston at 11 a.m.

• Article
• February 10, 2023

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Kaylan Cole made the most of her start in the circle for the Tennessee Tech softball team as she held Western Carolina scoreless until the game went into extra innings. The Catamounts walked the game off in the bottom of the eighth inning to take a 1-0 victory Friday morning in the Alabama State Stinger Classic. Tech (0-2) finished the day with a 16-5 defeat to Kennesaw State in the nightcap. With rain expected in the forecast on Saturday, the day’s games have been cancelled. The Golden Eagles will play its final game in the tournament on Sunday at 2 p.m.

• Article
• February 02, 2023

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With the softball season a week away, the Ohio Valley Conference released its preseason poll and Tennessee Tech was projected to finish third in 2023. The poll was voted on by the league's coaches and sports information contacts. Each member school also submitted its Player to Watch for the upcoming season and graduate infielder Haeli Bryson was Tech's selection.