Saturday, April 30
Martin, Tenn.
1 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Austin Peay
SKYHAWK SOFTBALL TO HOST AUSTIN PEAY FOR SENIOR WEEKEND
4/29/2022 5:04:00 PM | Softball
The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team plays host to Ohio Valley Conference foe Austin Peay for its final home series of the season this weekend, beginning with a matchup on Saturday, Apr. 30 before capping off the three-game series on Sunday, May 1 with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
Prior to Sunday's contest the Skyhawks will honor the team's five senior which will be playing their final games at Bettye Giles Field this weekend – including Paige Clark, Erin Gallagher, Kenna Garst, Emily Gilstrap and Seeley Layne. The group enters the series with combined offensive totals of 267 hits, 141 RBIs and 106 stolen bases while in the pitching circle they have recorded 39 wins and 385 strikeouts.
With just two league series left in the regular season for both programs, UT Martin and Austin Peay are jockeying for position in the standings and the upcoming OVC Softball Championship field. The Skyhawks (27-16, 12-7 OVC) currently sit fourth in the conference standings while the Governors (26-20, 13-9 OVC) sit a game and a half back in a tie for the fifth spot.
UT Martin enters the contest looking to finish the home slate on a high note after enjoying success at Bettye Giles Field where the squad has posted a 12-1 record – including a pair of conference sweeps. The Skyhawks dropped a pair of back-and-forth contests in a midweek doubleheader at Southeast Missouri on Wednesday with each contest being decided by a single run.
The Skyhawks have relied on the hot-bats of a pair of junior infielders lately with both Kallie Pickens and Shyanne Sheffield peaking at the right time. Pickens has tallied a hit in 15 of the last 17 games while ranking fifth in the league with 14 doubles and leading the team with 34 RBIs. Sheffield has been on a blistering pace in league play with a .481 average while currently in the midst of both a nine-game hitting streak and a 13-game on-base streak.
The pitching staff is highlighted by a pair of veteran arms in Erin Gallagher (10-3, 2.42 ERA) and Alexis Groet (10-7, 2.53 ERA) who both rank in the top-five in the league in earned run average and opponent batting average. Meanwhile Katie Dreiling has become a consistent contributor out of the bullpen to lead the league with three saves.
Austin Peay enters its final road trip riding a season-long seven-game winning streak after sweeping then-league leading Murray State on Wednesday. The Govs feature one of the league's most dangerous hitters in Lexi Osowski who boasts a .440 average with 13 doubles, 12 home runs and 42 RBIs on the season. Meanwhile in the rotation, the squad relies on the pair of Jordan Benefiel (12-7, 2.71 ERA) and Harley Mullins (9-5, 3.67 ERA).
The two programs have met 106 times previously in series history with UT Martin holding a significant 71-35 advantage. The Govs have got the better of the Skyhawks however in recent history by winning seven of the last eight games – including picking up two of three in last year's series in Martin.
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Prior to Sunday's contest the Skyhawks will honor the team's five senior which will be playing their final games at Bettye Giles Field this weekend – including Paige Clark, Erin Gallagher, Kenna Garst, Emily Gilstrap and Seeley Layne. The group enters the series with combined offensive totals of 267 hits, 141 RBIs and 106 stolen bases while in the pitching circle they have recorded 39 wins and 385 strikeouts.
With just two league series left in the regular season for both programs, UT Martin and Austin Peay are jockeying for position in the standings and the upcoming OVC Softball Championship field. The Skyhawks (27-16, 12-7 OVC) currently sit fourth in the conference standings while the Governors (26-20, 13-9 OVC) sit a game and a half back in a tie for the fifth spot.
UT Martin enters the contest looking to finish the home slate on a high note after enjoying success at Bettye Giles Field where the squad has posted a 12-1 record – including a pair of conference sweeps. The Skyhawks dropped a pair of back-and-forth contests in a midweek doubleheader at Southeast Missouri on Wednesday with each contest being decided by a single run.
The Skyhawks have relied on the hot-bats of a pair of junior infielders lately with both Kallie Pickens and Shyanne Sheffield peaking at the right time. Pickens has tallied a hit in 15 of the last 17 games while ranking fifth in the league with 14 doubles and leading the team with 34 RBIs. Sheffield has been on a blistering pace in league play with a .481 average while currently in the midst of both a nine-game hitting streak and a 13-game on-base streak.
The pitching staff is highlighted by a pair of veteran arms in Erin Gallagher (10-3, 2.42 ERA) and Alexis Groet (10-7, 2.53 ERA) who both rank in the top-five in the league in earned run average and opponent batting average. Meanwhile Katie Dreiling has become a consistent contributor out of the bullpen to lead the league with three saves.
Austin Peay enters its final road trip riding a season-long seven-game winning streak after sweeping then-league leading Murray State on Wednesday. The Govs feature one of the league's most dangerous hitters in Lexi Osowski who boasts a .440 average with 13 doubles, 12 home runs and 42 RBIs on the season. Meanwhile in the rotation, the squad relies on the pair of Jordan Benefiel (12-7, 2.71 ERA) and Harley Mullins (9-5, 3.67 ERA).
The two programs have met 106 times previously in series history with UT Martin holding a significant 71-35 advantage. The Govs have got the better of the Skyhawks however in recent history by winning seven of the last eight games – including picking up two of three in last year's series in Martin.
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Players Mentioned
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IF/P
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IF/OF
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