UT MARTIN SOFTBALL PUSHES NO. 20 TENNESSEE TO THE BRINK BEFORE FALLING 3-2

Tuesday, February 25

Knoxville, Tenn.

5 p.m.

UT Martin

9-7

Tennessee

8-6

UT Martin

Tennessee

UT MARTIN SOFTBALL PUSHES NO. 20 TENNESSEE TO THE BRINK BEFORE FALLING 3-2

2/25/2020 8:05:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Game 16: PDF

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team made a cross-state trek to Southeastern Conference foe and No. 20 ranked Tennessee on Tuesday evening and nearly spoiled the team's home debut before ultimately suffering a walk-off loss by a score of 3-2.

The Skyhawks (9-7) proved up to the test throughout tonight's contest against a formidable foe. UT Martin would jump out to an early 2-0 lead before a two-run blast in the bottom of the third inning tied the game up. The game would remain knotted until the Lady Vols found the walk-off victory in the bottom of the seventh innings.

UT Martin tallied five hits on the day as sophomore Kallie Pickens paced the team with a pair of base hits. Joining Pickens in the hit column was the trifecta of Paige Clark, Chelsey Gore and Kaitlyn Kelley which each tallied a base knock. Reigning OVC Player of the Week Aalia Bivens posted the team's lone RBI coming on a sacrifice fly in the third.

All three Skyhawks worked in the pitching circle to hold the Lady Vols in check for much of the contest. Senior Hannah Ridolfi earned the start and lasted three innings, scattering three hits and two earned runs on the day. Junior Seeley Layne proved impressive by tossing two innings of scoreless ball while sophomore Erin Gallagher (5-3) was hit with the loss after allowing an unearned run in 1.1 innings.

The Skyhawks struck first in the top of the first inning. A leadoff single by Clark set the inning in motion before moving into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt and an ensuing hit by pitch. After later advancing to third on a fielder's choice, an errant throw allowed the speedster to scamper home and take an early 1-0 advantage.

UT Martin struck for another run in the top of the third. Back-to-back singles by Gore and Kelley gave the Skyhawks a scoring opportunity which Bivens cashed in on with a sacrifice fly to centerfield to give the visitors a two-run lead.

Tennessee did not go away quietly in the bottom of the third. Facing a two-run deficit, the Lady Vols drew a two-out walk to set up KK McCrary who launched a two-run home run over the centerfield wall to tie the contest.

After a prime scoring opportunity went by the wayside in the top of the seventh for UT Martin, Tennessee found the hit it needed in the bottom half of the frame. An infield error proved costly to put the first runner on base for the Lady Vols before pinch-runner Kiki Milloy promptly stole second. With a runner in scoring position, a double by Chelsea Seggern down the right field line proved to clinch the 3-2 walk-off winner.

UT Martin will turn its focus to the Mississippi State Snowman running Friday, Feb. 28 through Sunday, March 1.