CHELSEY GORE SHINES AS SKYHAWKS SPLIT FINAL DAY OF NORTH TEXAS INVITATIONAL

Sunday, February 16

Denton, Texas

10 a.m.

UT Martin

4-4

Abilene Christian

2-7

Abilene Christian

UT Martin

CHELSEY GORE SHINES AS SKYHAWKS SPLIT FINAL DAY OF NORTH TEXAS INVITATIONAL

2/16/2020 4:23:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 8: PDF Game 9: PDF

DENTON, Texas – Sophomore infielder Chelsey Gore wrapped up an impressive weekend for the University of Tennessee at Martin softball team with six hits on Sunday to split the final day of the North Texas Invitational.

The Skyhawks (4-5) picked up a 4-3 walk-off win over Abilene Christian in extra innings for their first win of the week while pushing tournament host North Texas to the edge before ultimately falling 2-1.

UT Martin tallied 14 hits over the doubleheader while Gore paced the squad with six hits in seven at bats, including a pair of triples while driving in one RBI and scoring three runs. The trio of Lex Rogers, Kaitlyn Kelley and Aalia Bivens also tallied multiple base hits while Shyanne Sheffield led the team with two RBIs.

Erin Gallagher earned a no-decision against Abilene Christian despite a strong performance, allowing one earned run over six innings of work. Seeley Layne (1-2) would tally her first win of the season following 2.1 innings of relief. Hannah Ridolfi (1-1) pitched 5.2 innings against North Texas and allowed two runs while holding the Mean Green to a .190 batting average.

Game 8: UT Martin 4, Abilene Christian 3 (Eight Innings)
UT Martin jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning after being shutout in two games yesterday. A one-out triple by Gore gave the Skyhawks a quick spark before a single to left by Bivens put the Skyhawks on the board.

The Skyhawks would add to their margin in the bottom of the fifth inning. Paige Clark started a two-out rally with a RBI double to score Rogers on the play before later moving to third herself. With the game's third run just 60 feet from home, Gore brought home the leadoff speedster with a single to make it a 6-0 lead.

Abilene Christian would not go away quietly however, scoring three runs in the top of the seventh to send the game to extra innings. A single and a pair of walks were followed by RBI groundouts and a double to left center to knot the game at three runs each.

In the bottom of the eighth inning it was Gore who was at the forefront again. Reaching on a leadoff single, Gore moved into scoring position on a sacrifice before later coming home to score on a sacrifice fly by Sheffield to serve as the 4-3 game-winner.

Game 9: North Texas 2, UT Martin 1
Much like in the first game, it was UT Martin which jumped out to an early lead. Back-to-back singles by Gore and Bivens sparked the inning while a third hit in the inning – this time from Sheffield – plated an early run.

Ridolfi would hold North Texas without a hit from the second inning until the bottom of the sixth when the hosts found its offensive rhythm. A double by Lacy Gregory put a runner in scoring position but it was a two-run home run by Hanna Rebar which proved to be the difference in the game, giving the Mean Green a 2-1 victory.

UT Martin will make its long anticipated home debut at Bettye Giles Field in a jam-packed week which features six home games. Action will begin with a doubleheader against Green Bay on Thursday, Feb. 20 at noon before playing host to the Huddle House Classic on Saturday and Sunday.