UT MARTIN SOFTBALL CLAIMS SERIES SWEEP OVER EASTERN ILLINOIS WITH 5-2 WIN

Saturday, April 16

Martin, Tenn.

2 p.m.

UT Martin

25-12, 10-4

Eastern Illinois

21-23, 6-11

Eastern Illinois

UT Martin

UT MARTIN SOFTBALL CLAIMS SERIES SWEEP OVER EASTERN ILLINOIS WITH 5-2 WIN

4/16/2022 5:08:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Stats PDF: Game 37

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team put the finishing touches on a series sweep of visiting Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Illinois on Saturday afternoon as the squad jumped out to an early advantage and never looked back on the way to a 5-2 victory.

The Skyhawks (25-12, 10-4 OVC) picked up their sixth straight win behind a balanced hitting approach at the plate and strong pitching performances from three individuals. After exploding for 21 combined runs in yesterday's doubleheader, UT Martin continued their strong weekend by scratching out eight hits on the afternoon and drawing three walks to set up the squad's five RBIs.

Junior Shyanne Sheffield picked up where she left off after a stellar performance on Friday and added two more hits to her weekend total while driving in a pair of runs. For the series, Sheffield feasted on the Panthers by posting a .700 (7-of-10) batting average while tallying three runs scored, two doubles, a home run and 10 RBIs. Sophomore Kaci Fuller also enjoyed a nice weekend as she brought her series total up to five hits after going 2-for-4 in the contest – including a solo home run in the top of the first inning.

Three different pitchers played a critical role in today's series finale. While the entire staff was under a batter limit, Erin Gallagher (9-2) earned the start and picked up the win after pitching impressively in three innings where she struck out three and allowed one earned run. Katie Dreiling pitched the middle innings in relief and did so formidably, allowing one run over 3.1 innings of work. Then in the top of the seventh with the Panthers sniffing a rally, Alexis Groet earned her first save of the season after inducing a game-ending double play.

Today's action followed a similar script as both games yesterday. UT Martin jumped on the board first with two runs in the opening inning as Fuller power slapped an opposite field solo shot over the left field corner on the first pitch she saw before Sheffield left her mark on the Panthers once again with an RBI double to give the Skyhawks a quick 2-0 advantage.

The scoring continued for both teams in the third inning as Eastern Illinois got on the board via a solo home run by Macey McElravy to left center to cut the margin in half.

UT Martin quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning by getting that run back and then some. Fuller led off the inning with a single up the middle before a walk by Dreiling put runners on first and second with one out. In stepped Sheffield to the plate on the following at-bat who then laced a two-strike single through the left side to bring Fuller around to score. With the margin back to two runs, the Skyhawks later found themselves with runners on second and third before Kallie Pickens singled to left center to clear the bags and bring the contest to a 5-1 score.

The margin remained the same until the top of the seventh inning when the Panthers attempted one final comeback attempt as the visitor's starting pitcher Rachel Kaufman hit a solo home run to left field to cut the deficit to three runs. After a hit by pitch forced a pitching change for the Skyhawks, Groet entered the contest with a save opportunity and clinched the series with a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.

UT Martin will take a brief break from league action with a non-conference matchup against Mississippi State at Henderson County Sportsplex in Lexington, Tenn. on Wednesday, Apr. 20. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.