Capelouto homers twice with six RBI as Golden Eagles rout ETSU
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – It was bombs away for the Tennessee Tech softball team on Tuesday as the Golden Eagles hit three home runs and second baseman Ashley Capelouto struck for six RBI to put together a 12-0, five-inning victory over future Southern Conference foe East Tennessee State. Capelouto’s six RBI stands one short of tying the program single-game record of seven, held by Callie Schmidt (vs. Eastern Kentucky 4/13/2011) and TTU Sports Hall of Famer Beth Boden (twice, vs. Samford 4/20/2008, vs. UMass 3/8/2007). She had a grand slam in the fourth inning, then hit a two-run blast in the fifth inning, going 2-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – It was bombs away for the Tennessee Tech softball team on Tuesday as the Golden Eagles hit three home runs and second baseman Ashley Capelouto struck for six RBI to put together a 12-0, five-inning victory over future Southern Conference foe East Tennessee State.
Capelouto's six RBI stands one short of tying the program single-game record of seven, held by Callie Schmidt (vs. Eastern Kentucky 4/13/2011) and TTU Sports Hall of Famer Beth Boden (twice, vs. Samford 4/20/2008, vs. UMass 3/8/2007). She had a grand slam in the fourth inning, then hit a two-run blast in the fifth inning, going 2-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored.
Julie Martin went 3-for-3 while six Golden Eagles picked up a single RBI in the contest.
Addison Abell had a strong start in the circle, going 2 1/3 scoreless innings with three hits allowed and one strikeout. Emily York picked up the win in relief as she threw the final 2 2/3, giving up one hit and three walks with two strikeouts.
It didn't take Tech long to get on the scoreboard in the first inning. With the bases loaded on a Sofia Carroll double, Jailynn Paderez fielder's choice and a walk to Capelouto, the Golden Eagles scored a run on three consecutive plays as Ella Bishop's grounder to short erased Paderez at third as Carroll scored. Ella Grace Harvey single to drive in Capelouto, then Abbee Klinefelter brought Bishop home with a single.
Tech added five runs in the fourth. Brooklyn Stewart led off the fourth with a four-pitch walk, then Martin singled to right center. Olivia Evans laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners up, then Carroll reached on an error off her sacrifice bunt try to load the bases.
Paderez drove the first run of the inning in as she eyed a single through the right side, sending Stewart across and leaving the bags juiced as Jayla Miller came in to run for Paderez. The bases weren't loaded for long – Capelouto launched the first pitch over the wall for the grand slam.
The Golden Eagles added four more runs in the fifth as Stewart sent a 3-1 pitch over the left field wall for a solo homer, then, following Martin's triple, Evans brought her home with a sacrifice fly to right. After Carroll drew a five-pitch walk, Capelouto hit her second home run of the game – this time to deep center field as the outfield could only watch as the ball soared out of the park.
Eden Muncy took the loss for the Bucs, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks with a strikeout in two innings. Marissa Barnes pitched the next two frames, allowing four earned runs out of five on five hits and a walk. Cameron Lauretta threw the final inning, allowing four runs on three hits with a walk.
The Golden Eagles return to Ohio Valley Conference action on Saturday and Sunday as they travel to Tennessee State.
