UT MARTIN SOFTBALL DROPS A PAIR ON THE OPENING DAY OF NORTH TEXAS INVITIATIONAL

Saturday, February 15

Denton, Texas

10 a.m.

UT Martin

3-3

Creighton

4-4

UT Martin

Creighton

UT MARTIN SOFTBALL DROPS A PAIR ON THE OPENING DAY OF NORTH TEXAS INVITIATIONAL

2/15/2020 10:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 6: PDF Game 7: PDF

DENTON, Texas – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team got off to a slow start in the North Texas Invitational on Saturday afternoon, dropping a pair of contests to Creighton (2-0) and Missouri State (8-0) on the opening day of the four-game showcase.

The Skyhawks (3-4) managed nine hits on the day but struggled defensively with four errors and seven earned runs. The contest marked the second three-error contest for the Skyhawks this season while being shutout in back-to-back games.

Sophomore Chelsey Gore paced the Skyhawks with four of the team's nine hits on the day. Sophomore Shyanne Sheffield also posted a multi-hit day by going 2-for-4. The trio of Madelyn Dycus, Paige Clark and Aalia Bivens wrapped up the day with singles.

Senior Hannah Ridolfi led the team with seven innings pitched while allowing just one earned run. Sophomore Erin Gallagher (2-2) was hit with a loss after allowing five earned runs in four innings while junior Seeley Layne (0-2) allowed one earned run in two innings of relief.

Game 6: Creighton 2, UT Martin 0
The Skyhawks and Bluejays were squared off in a showdown with neither team giving the other an inch through much of the game.

UT Martin's best scoring threat came in the top of the sixth inning. The Skyhawks capitalized on a pair of miscues to move the duo into scoring position following a walk and an error with just one out. After numerous defensive changes for Creighton, the Skyhawks popped out and struck out to end the scoring threat.

The Bluejays finally broke through in the top of the sixth inning to score a pair of runs. After getting two quick outs, a single by Kiara Mills broke the scoreless tie while an infield error later in the inning score the game's second run.

The Skyhawks would place a pair of runners on base in the top of the seventh but could not push the game's tying runs across the plate.

Game 7: Missouri State 8, UT Martin 0
Missouri State wasted little time jumping out to an early lead in the second game of the day. A leadoff walk and a single set up Tess Weakly for a three-run home run to centerfield to take a 3-0 advantage.

The Bears used the long ball once again to add to their margin in the top of the fourth as Darian Frost launched a solo shot to right center to lead off the frame. MSU would add to its lead later in the inning as a pair of sacrifice flies scored runs by Abi LaValley and Daphne Plummer made it a six-run contest.

Missouri State put the finishing touches on a decisive victory in the top of the seventh as a RBI double by Olivia Krehbiel was followed by an error to score the game's eight-run.

UT Martin will look to bounce back with a pair of contests on Sunday, Feb. 16. The Skyhawks will square off against Abilene Christian at 10 a.m. followed by a matchup against tournament host North Texas at 12:30 p.m.