UT MARTIN SOFTBALL DROPS OVC SERIES OPENER AT MOREHEAD STATE

Friday, April 14

Morehead, Ky.

12:30 pm

UT Martin

15-19, 8-7

Morehead State

11-17, 6-7

UT Martin

Morehead State

UT MARTIN SOFTBALL DROPS OVC SERIES OPENER AT MOREHEAD STATE

4/14/2023 9:35:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Game 34: PDF

MOREHEAD, Ky. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team led early, but could not hold off a surging Morehead State squad on its home turf, ultimately dropping the Ohio Valley Conference series opener on Friday afternoon by a final margin of 4-3.

The Skyhawks (15-9, 8-7 OVC) jumped out to an early lead but a big fourth inning saw the Eagles tie up the contest before later finding their eventual game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning to snap a four-game losing streak to UT Martin.

Graduate infielder Kaitlyn Kelley had a big day as she went 2-for-4 with a solo home run. Meanwhile, junior outfielder Avry Blume was also impressive as she notched a two-hit afternoon while driving in a pair of runs.

Brooklynn Linneman got the start for the Skyhawks and struck out seven batters in 3.2 innings but was held responsible for three earned runs. Katie Dreiling (8-6) was hit with the losing decision after allowing a pair of inherited runners to score while also giving up the go-ahead run in the sixth inning.

Morehead State (11-17, 6-7 OVC) picked up its first win against the Skyhawks since 2021 after mounting a comeback. Three players tallied multi-hit afternoons for the Eagles as Trinity Spear, Kirya Kingery and Madeline Gailor led the way. Kingery posted arguably the best performance of the trio as she drove in all three of the team's RBIs. Madi Ogden was strong in the circle to earn her fourth win after pitching 4.1 shutout innings.

The Skyhawks jumped out to an early advantage as Kelley bashed a solo home run to left center in the top of the first inning. The home run marked the 32^nd of Kelley's career, sitting just one homer shy of second place in program history.

The visitors added to their margin with two more runs in the top of the third inning. After the bases became loaded in the frame with two outs, Blume singled up the middle to score a pair of runners and give the Skyhawks a 3-0 advantage.

Morehead State started to chip away at the three-run deficit in the bottom half of the third inning. Following a double by Spear with one out, Kingery recorded her first RBI of the day via a single to left center to score the first run for the home team.

The Eagles completed their comeback attempt in the fourth inning. After back-to-back singles led off the inning and a sacrifice bunt moved the pair into scoring position, the home squad had a prime scoring opportunity. After a pitching change was followed by a hit batter to load the bases, Kingery popped a single which fell in no-man's land and resulted in two runners coming home on the play to tie the game at 3-3.

Following a scoreless fifth inning, Morehead State put the finishing touches on its rally by taking its first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth. A pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt moved two players into scoring position for the home squad. Then on the next play, a fielding error proved costly for the Skyhawks as the Eagles took a 4-3 lead which proved to be the difference in the game.

The two squads will battle it out tomorrow for the series victory. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for April 15 at 11 a.m.