UT MARTIN SOFTBALL OPENS OVC PLAY WITH DOUBLEHEADER SPLIT AT BELMONT

Saturday, March 23

Nashville, Tenn.

1 p.m.

UT Martin

18-11, 0-1

Belmont

18-8, 1-0

UT Martin

Belmont

UT MARTIN SOFTBALL OPENS OVC PLAY WITH DOUBLEHEADER SPLIT AT BELMONT

3/23/2019 6:29:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 29: PDF Game 30: PDF

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team opened Ohio Valley Conference play with a series split against league foe Belmont on Saturday afternoon, falling 7-1 in Game 1 before recovering in Game 2 with a 4-1 road victory.

The Skyhawks (19-11, 1-1 OVC) were led offensively by the play of sophomore Paige Clark who went 4-for-8 on the day with a double and two stolen bases. Meanwhile, junior Aalia Bivens and Gracyn McBride both tallied multi-hit performances while the pair joined freshmen Kallie Pickens and Kenna Garst with RBIs.

Game 29: Belmont 7, UT Martin 1
Belmont jumped out to an early lead in the first game of the series, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second and never looked back. A RBI single by Brooklin Lee scored the first run of the game before a RBI groundout and a double down the left field line gave the Bruins a 3-0 lead.

The game would remain a three-run margin until the Bruins blew the game open in the bottom of the sixth. A pair of singles led off the inning before a three-run home run by Audrey Lyle highlighted the inning. The game would see its final run score on a unique inside-the-park home run by Baylee Cook to cap the game's 7-0 scoring output.

Hannah Ridolfi (4-4) was credited with the loss after allowing three earned runs in 1.1 innings of work. Caitlin Karo appeared in relief, striking out four but allowing four earned runs in 4.2 innings.

Game 30: UT Martin 4, Belmont 1
After being shutout in the first contest of the day, UT Martin looked to strike first in the opening inning of Game Two. A fielding error gave the Skyhawks extra life to set up a single up the middle by McBride to bring home the game's first run.

Belmont responded by tying the game in the bottom of the second inning. A leadoff double spelled trouble before a single to left by Bailey Sims knotted the game at one.

With the game tied once again, the Skyhawks fought back in the top of the third inning to retake the lead. The Skyhawks would begin the frame with a single to left by Garst before coming home on a single up the middle by Bivens to give the visitors the lead. Another run would score later in the frame as the Bruins walked Pickens with the bases loaded to bring the score to 3-1.

The Skyhawks found a little insurance in the top of the sixth as Garst plated Pickens with a RBI groundout to make it a 4-1 score.

Freshman Erin Gallagher (5-1) put together yet another strong appearance in the circle, striking out four while allowing just one earned run in seven innings of work.

UT Martin will return to action in Music City with a doubleheader at Tennessee State on Sunday, March 24. First pitch of the twinbill is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.