WALK-OFF HOME RUN BY PICKENS LIFTS SKYHAWKS TO SERIES WIN OVER BELMONT

Sunday, April 3

Martin, Tenn.

Noon

UT Martin

19-12, 4-4

Belmont

18-8, 9-1

Belmont

UT Martin

WALK-OFF HOME RUN BY PICKENS LIFTS SKYHAWKS TO SERIES WIN OVER BELMONT

4/3/2022 8:08:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Stats PDF: Game 31 Stats PDF: Game 32

MARTIN, Tenn. – Junior Kallie Pickens played the role of hero on Sunday afternoon by launching a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh in Game 2 of today's doubleheader to clinch a series win for the University of Tennessee at Martin softball team over visiting Ohio Valley Conference foe Belmont.

The Skyhawks (20-12, 5-4 OVC) won two of three games in the series after winning the opener on Saturday afternoon and splitting today's doubleheader. Belmont picked up a win in Game 2 with a narrow 4-3 victory before UT Martin came back in dramatic fashion with a 2-1 winner in the series finale.

UT Martin tallied 11 hits on the afternoon between the two contests while bashing three home runs. Along with Pickens' long ball to win the finale, she ranked as one of three players to tally multiple base hits on the afternoon. Kaci Fuller pushed her hitting streak to five games with a pair of hits while Shyanne Sheffield also tallied two hits – including a two-run home run in Game 1. Sophomore catcher Maddi Long wrapped up the team's scoring with a solo homer – her second of the season.

The pitching staff was strong on the afternoon by posting a 2.00 ERA, allowing four earned runs in 14 innings of work. Alexis Groet (7-6) was hit with the loss in Game 1 after allowing four earned runs in three innings of work while Seeley Layne appeared in relief and was strong, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings. Erin Gallagher started Game 2 and went 5.1 innings – allowing zero earned runs – before Katie Dreiling (1-1) picked up her first Skyhawk victory with 3.0 scoreless innings split between the two contests.

Game 31: Belmont 4, UT Martin 3
Belmont jumped on the board first with a run in the first inning of the opener. Back-to-back walks with one out proved costly for the home team after Kristen Green drove a single to right field which allowed Ledbetter to score from second on the play.

The Bruins then pushed across two more runs in the top of the third inning as Green added to her big game as she hit a two-run homer to right center to put the visitors on top 3-0.

The visitors expanded upon their lead once again in the top of the fourth when Cheyenne Cavanaugh singled to bring the margin to four runs.

UT Martin began its comeback attempt in the bottom of the fourth inning. Dreiling began the rally by doubling to left center before a two-run homer by Sheffield cut the deficit in half.

The Skyhawks then chipped away even more in the bottom of the fifth when Long launched a solo shot into the left field party deck to make it a 4-3 contest. UT Martin later got the potential game-tying run to third base in the bottom of the sixth inning but the runner was stranded in the team's final rally.

Game 32: UT Martin 2, Belmont 1
Both teams went toe-to-toe with neither team cracking the scoring column until the top of the sixth inning. Belmont got on the board first after a double by Abi Ledbetter started the scoring sequence followed by a walk and a fielder's choice to load the bases. The go-ahead run was later scored as a throw to home for a force out resulted in an error – allowing the run to score on the play.

With the Skyhawks down to their final three outs in the seventh inning, Dreiling drew a walk to reach base. Just like in the first game, UT Martin made a quick substitution to bring in the pinch runner Anna Blanton but the runner's job later turned into a trot as Pickens cranked a two-run home run to left to give the Skyhawks a 2-1 walk-off win.

UT Martin will return to action with an OVC doubleheader against travel partner Southeast Missouri – weather permitting – on Wednesday, April 6. First pitch from Bettye Giles Field is scheduled for 2 p.m.