UT MARTIN SOFTBALL BRINGS SEVEN-GAME WINNING STREAK INTO OVC HOME SERIES AGAINST EKU

Game 1: Live Stats ESPN+
Game 2: Live Stats ESPN+
Game 3: Live Stats

The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team will bring its season-long seven-game winning streak to the plate when playing host to Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Kentucky this weekend at Bettye Giles Field for a three-game series beginning on Friday, March 26.

The chance of weather has slightly altered the weekend's schedule. The two team's will now play a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 2 p.m. with both games broadcast on ESPN+. The series will then wrap up with a single game on Saturday, March 27 at noon.

The Skyhawks (16-5, 6-3 OVC) are coming off a strong week in which the team outscored their opponents 49-17 over the course of five games while tallying 25 extra base hits and notching 43 RBIs. Along with the team's .405 batting average, the team also made opponents sweat while on the basepaths, swiping 11 bases.

UT Martin enters the weekend leading the OVC in several statistical categories including batting average (.338), on-base percentage (.393), runs scored (149), hits (206), doubles (45), triples (seven) and RBIs (126). Meanwhile on the pitching side, the Skyhawks rank first in wins (16), strikeouts (124), and strikeouts/7IP (6.67).

The Skyhawks boast four of the league's top-10 offensive performers in terms of batting average in Kaci Fuller (.440, 2nd), Shyanne Sheffield (.429, 3rd), Kallie Pickens (.400, 7th) and Kaitlyn Kelley (.379, 10th). Fuller shares the team lead with 15 extra base hits – including seven doubles, three triples and two home runs while driving in 18 RBIs and swiping 15 stolen bases. Kelley was recently named OVC Player of the Week and ranks as the other co-leader with 15 extra base hits – including five doubles and an OVC-leading 10 home runs to go along with 28 RBIs.

Sophomore Alexis Groet (6-1, 1.56 ERA) ranks second in the league in ERA while sitting as the OVC co-leader with six victories. Erin Gallagher (4-2, 2.96 ERA) and Hannah Ridolfi (4-1, 3.72 ERA) help anchor a pitching staff which boasts a 3.01 team ERA on the season and has limited opponents to a .224 batting average.

Eastern Kentucky (16-7, 8-3 OVC) enters the weekend hot off a midweek sweep against OVC rival Morehead State on Wednesday. Sammi Miller paces the Colonel offense with a team-best .420 batting average with six doubles, two triples, two home runs and 12 RBIs. Carly Robinson also packs a big punch by hitting .404 with two doubles and a team-high six home runs and 23 RBIs.

Tori Peterson (7-1, 2.23 ERA) leads the pitching staff and is 5-1 in OVC play with a league-best 0.87 ERA while Mollie Paulick (4-0, 1.30 ERA) and Samantha Reynoso (4-1, 3.25 ERA) figure to see time in the circle.

The two programs have met 81 previous times since 1993 with EKU holding a 47-34 advantage in the series. This matchup also marks the final regular season meeting as OVC foes before Eastern Kentucky exits the league at the end of the season.

UT MARTIN SOFTBALL BRINGS SEVEN-GAME WINNING STREAK INTO OVC HOME SERIES AGAINST EKU

Game 1: Live Stats ESPN+
Game 2: Live Stats ESPN+
Game 3: Live Stats

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Players Mentioned

Kaci Fuller

Erin Gallagher

Alexis Groet

Kaitlyn Kelley

Kallie Pickens

Hannah Ridolfi

Shyanne Sheffield