SKYHAWK SOFTBALL LEAVES MUSIC CITY WITH SERIES SWEEP OVER TENNESSEE STATE

Sunday, March 24

Nashville, Tenn.

1 p.m.

UT Martin

20-11, 2-1

Tennessee State

5-13, 0-3

UT Martin

Tennessee State

SKYHAWK SOFTBALL LEAVES MUSIC CITY WITH SERIES SWEEP OVER TENNESSEE STATE

3/24/2019 7:55:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 31: PDF Game 32: PDF

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team wrapped up its four-game road swing through Music City over the weekend with a series sweep of Ohio Valley Conference foe Tennessee State on Sunday afternoon, picking up victories of 6-2 and 5-0.

The Skyhawks (21-11, 3-1 OVC) capped off a promising start to the OVC slate by winning three of four contests on the opening weekend – including a clean sweep of Sunday's action despite less than ideal playing conditions. With the game originally scheduled for a 1 p.m. start, first pitch was delayed by 56 minutes as a weather system moved through Nashville.

Game 31: UT Martin 6, Tennessee State 2
The delay would not cause problems for the Skyhawks as the visitors struck swiftly for three runs in the top of the first inning. The top of the order each reached before a single to left field by Gracyn McBride scored the game's first run. With the early run on the board, the junior duo of Aalia Bivens and Haylee Short added to the margin with RBI singles of their own to give the Skyhawks a three-run advantage.

The score would remain the same until the top of the third inning when McBride tallied her second hit of the game with a solo home run to center field. The home run ranks as the fifth of the season for the senior and 21^st of her career to move into a tie for eighth place in program history – joining former Skyhawks Hall of Famer Nicole Davis and Kristin Runyan.

Both teams would score a run in the fourth inning. UT Martin brought home its fifth run to score in the top half of the inning on a RBI single by Paige Clark. Meanwhile, Tennessee State finally got on the board when Savanah Wallace was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to snap the shutout.

The Lady Tigers (5-14, 0-4 OVC) later added another run on a steal of home by Bri Vire to make it 5-2. The three-run margin would be as close as the home squad could cut the margin down the stretch as freshman Chelsey Gore punctuated the contest with a RBI single in the sixth to put the game out of reach.

Freshman Lexi Ray got the start, allowing one earned run in three innings of work before being relieved. Junior Hannah Ridolfi (5-4) would be credited with the win, allowing one earned run over the final four innings of work.

Game 32: UT Martin 5, Tennessee State 0
Much like in the first game of the day, UT Martin jumped out in front in the top of the first inning. Clark would do much of the work in the inning by drawing a walk to leadoff the game before swiping second base to move into scoring position. After being moved to third on a single by Chayse Skinner, Clark later scored on a sacrifice fly by Alli Fulcher to take an early advantage.

The Skyhawks added their second run of the contest in the third inning on a RBI single through the left side by Fulcher for her second RBI of the contest. UT Martin continued to look for more in the fourth inning to stretch out the margin. A RBI single to left center by Georgia Land scored the Skyhawks third run before a sacrifice fly by Clark scored the freshman to close out the fourth.

While the game was well within control, UT Martin added a final run to its offensive output in the top of the fifth inning. Fulcher led off the inning with a single to center to start the rally before later circling the bases and scoring on a double to left center by Short to make it a 5-0 ballgame.

Sophomore Caitlin Karo (5-2) picked up one of her more dominating performances in her young career, tossing her fourth career shutout. Karo would be efficient, allowing four hits and zero earned runs in seven innings of work.

UT Martin will take a break from OVC play with a midweek matchup at Southern Illinois on Wednesday, March 27. First pitch from Charlotte West Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m.