UT MARTIN SOFTBALL FIGHTS BACK TO EARN SERIES SWEEP AGAINST TENNESSEE TECH

Saturday, April 8

Martin, Tenn.

Noon

UT Martin

14-17, 7-6

Tennessee Tech

3-33, 0-11

Tennessee Tech

UT Martin

UT MARTIN SOFTBALL FIGHTS BACK TO EARN SERIES SWEEP AGAINST TENNESSEE TECH

4/8/2023 6:31:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 31: PDF Game 32: PDF Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team took care of the Ohio Valley Conference series victory with a strong 6-2 victory in the first half of today's doubleheader against visiting Tennessee Tech before fighting back to score four runs in the final two innings and complete the series sweep with a 5-4 extra-innings win in the finale.

Despite facing early deficits in both games, the Skyhawks (15-17, 8-6 OVC) found a way to comeback and win both matchups. A big second inning in Game 1 of the doubleheader proved to be the difference in the decision as the Skyhawks tallied five runs while the UT Martin erased a three-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings and ultimately sweep the series.

Several players provided valuable contributions for the Skyhawks as all 16 available players saw action. Offensively, graduate infielder Kaitlyn Kelley posted a 3-for-6 afternoon with a home run and three RBIs to her line score while also remaining busy on the defensive side with nine putouts and six assists. Freshman Jordyn Hustey also had a three-hit afternoon while Katie Dreiling joined the trio with a multi-hit effort of her own.

While Kelley paced the team with three RBIs in the twinbill, juniors Maddi Long and Kaci Fuller also drove in a pair of runs en route to a winning effort.

In the pitching circle, Dreiling (8-5) capped off a strong weekend with six innings of work while allowing zero earned runs on her way to a second win in the series. While Brooklynn Linneman, Ashtyn Green and Anna Hazlewood combined to pitch 6.2 innings in the series finale, it was Emily Brown (1-0) who was the victor after tossing 2.1 scoreless frames for her first win of the campaign.

Gallery: (4-8-2023) Softball vs Tennessee Tech

Tennessee Tech (3-34, 0-12 OVC) saw its losing streak reach 14 games with the tough afternoon. The Golden Eagles launched three home runs on the day with Meaghan Houk, Carmen Betts and Makayli Harris each getting on the board. Meanwhile in the pitching circle, the tandem of Gracelyn Woollen and Callie Piper allowed just three earned runs over 12.1 innings of work.

Game 31: UT Martin 6, Tennessee Tech 2
After trailing the entire game on Friday, Tennessee Tech looked to get out on the right foot to start Saturday's doubleheader by scoring in the top of the first inning. After a fielding error on the first at bat of the game, the Golden Eagles made the Skyhawks pay as Betts launched a two-run home run down the left field line to take an early 2-0 advantage.

The Skyhawks responded in a big way in the bottom of the second inning to not only erase the deficit but take a lead of their own which would ultimately decide the game. Back-to-back singles by Avry Blume and Hustey started the frame before a walk by Hazlewood loaded the bases with one out. UT Martin made the most of its opportunity by working two consecutive walks from Kyrsten Brown and Fuller to tie the game. With the contest all squared up once again, the tandem of Dreiling and Kelley came through with back-to-back singles to plate two more runs before the inning was capped off with Fuller scoring the team's fifth run on a wild pitch.

The scoring slowed down after the big second inning until UT Martin added their sixth and final run of the game on a solo home run to right center by Kelley to take a 6-2 lead. The home run marked the 31^st of Kelley's illustrious Skyhawk career, moving her just two home runs shy of second place in program history.

Game 32: UT Martin 5, Tennessee Tech 4 (Eight innings)
The second game of the day followed a similar script with the road team reaching the scoreboard first via the long ball. TTU opened the scoring in the top of the third inning courtesy of a solo shot to right center by Harris. The Golden Eagles then pushed their advantage out to two runs in the top of the fifth as Houk hammered a solo blast over the left field wall.

The Skyhawks cut their new deficit in half in the bottom of the fifth inning after Gutierrez led off the frame with a single up the middle. Following a sacrifice bunt to move the runner into scoring position, the team's next two batters would reach courtesy of a fielding error and a walk to load the bases. Needing to get on the board, Kelley lofted a sacrifice fly deep enough into left field to score Gutierrez on the play and bring the score to 2-1.

Tennessee Tech responded in the following inning by padding its margin with two more runs. Haeli Bryson added to the Golden Eagles' advantage with an RBI-single up the middle before another single by Nicolle Nysted into right field got away and allowed the visitors to push their lead out to 4-1.

Facing a three run deficit with three outs to go, the Skyhawks got to work in the bottom of the seventh. The inning got started with a pinch-hit single by Kiersten Nixon before being replaced by starting shortstop Kyrsten Brown at first base. After TTU got the next two outs, a pair of wild pitches proved costly as Kyrsten Brown moved from second to home on the two wilds balls. With the deficit trimmed to two runs, Kelley drew a five-pitch walk before Kallie Pickens reached on an error to give the Skyhawks new life. A passed ball moved the pair into scoring position and set up Long who drilled a game-tying single through the right side to knot the score at 4-4 and second the contest to extra innings.

Following a 1-2-3 inning by Emily Brown in the circle, the Skyhawks got back to work in the bottom of the eight to try and steal the comeback victory. A walk by Gutierrez put the go-ahead runner on base while pinch runner Kennedy Brown entered to leave her mark on the game. Kennedy Brown quickly got to work by reading a pair of wild pitches and scampering all the way over to third base to put the game-winning run 60 feet from home. Her twin sister Kyrsten Brown then drew a four-pitch walk of her own before stealing second base to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Needing to only put the ball in play, Fuller did just that as she ripped a groundout down the first base line and allowed the go-ahead run to score on the play.

UT Martin returns to action on Tuesday, Apr. 11 when playing host to Memphis to cap off a four-game homestand. First pitch from Bettye Giles Field is slated for 3 p.m.