Wednesday, March 6
Martin, Tenn.
3 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Murray State
UT MARTIN SOFTBALL OPENS FOUR-GAME HOMESTAND WITH MIDWEEK AGAINST MURRAY STATE
3/5/2024 4:13:00 PM | Softball
The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team returns home to open a four-game homestand at Bettye Giles Field when playing host to former Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State on Wednesday, March 6. First pitch from Bettye Giles Field is slated for 3 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
The Skyhawks (11-8) enter the game coming off an impressive appearance at the 901 Classic in Memphis where the team went 3-1 on their way to the best record in the field. After knocking off Middle Tennessee in the team's midweek on Tuesday, the Skyhawks returned to action and played an 11-inning marathon against Memphis on the opening day of the tournament before ultimately falling 7-6. UT Martin responded to the loss by stringing together three consecutive wins against Memphis and Jackson State (twice) while outscoring its opponents 14-2 over 21 innings.
UT Martin currently leads the OVC with a .306 batting average through the first 19 games of the season while also pacing the league in runs (95), hits (162), triples (six), RBIs (88) and on-base percentage (.375). On the pitching side, the Skyhawks boast the league's best opponent batting average (.247) while sitting third in team ERA (2.60).
All-OVC outfielder Kaci Fuller paces the team in most offensive categories including batting average (.435), runs (23), hits (27), triples (three), slugging percentage (.694), on-base percentage (.533) and stolen bases (11). Fellow senior Katie Dreiling leads the team with five doubles and 19 RBIs while boasting a .368 batting average.
The Skyhawks pitching staff has spread out the innings over the season with both Brooklynn Linneman (4-2, 1.52 ERA) and Katie Dreiling (3-2, 3.03 ERA) both pitching 32.1 innings in the circle. Kiersten Nixon (0-2, 3.28 ERA) is looking for her first win of the season while Ashtyn Green (1-0, 0-0 ERA) and Lindsay Kline (2-1, 3.60 ERA) were impressive last week.
Murray State (9-11) enters the contest riding an impressive pitching staff which boasts a 2.44 team ERA, led by Jenna Veber who is 7-4 with a 1.11 ERA in 69.1 innings of work this season. Offensively, Taylor Jackson leads the team with a .294 batting average while Kayleigh White, Adison Hicks and Bailey Broemmer have each bashed home runs for the Racers.
As two former conference rivals, the two programs have met 37 times previously with Murray State edging out UT Martin in the all-time series by a 20-17 margin. The Racers have gotten the best of the Skyhawks in recent history, winning eight of the last nine meetings while the two squads have not met since March of 2022.
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The Skyhawks (11-8) enter the game coming off an impressive appearance at the 901 Classic in Memphis where the team went 3-1 on their way to the best record in the field. After knocking off Middle Tennessee in the team's midweek on Tuesday, the Skyhawks returned to action and played an 11-inning marathon against Memphis on the opening day of the tournament before ultimately falling 7-6. UT Martin responded to the loss by stringing together three consecutive wins against Memphis and Jackson State (twice) while outscoring its opponents 14-2 over 21 innings.
UT Martin currently leads the OVC with a .306 batting average through the first 19 games of the season while also pacing the league in runs (95), hits (162), triples (six), RBIs (88) and on-base percentage (.375). On the pitching side, the Skyhawks boast the league's best opponent batting average (.247) while sitting third in team ERA (2.60).
All-OVC outfielder Kaci Fuller paces the team in most offensive categories including batting average (.435), runs (23), hits (27), triples (three), slugging percentage (.694), on-base percentage (.533) and stolen bases (11). Fellow senior Katie Dreiling leads the team with five doubles and 19 RBIs while boasting a .368 batting average.
The Skyhawks pitching staff has spread out the innings over the season with both Brooklynn Linneman (4-2, 1.52 ERA) and Katie Dreiling (3-2, 3.03 ERA) both pitching 32.1 innings in the circle. Kiersten Nixon (0-2, 3.28 ERA) is looking for her first win of the season while Ashtyn Green (1-0, 0-0 ERA) and Lindsay Kline (2-1, 3.60 ERA) were impressive last week.
Murray State (9-11) enters the contest riding an impressive pitching staff which boasts a 2.44 team ERA, led by Jenna Veber who is 7-4 with a 1.11 ERA in 69.1 innings of work this season. Offensively, Taylor Jackson leads the team with a .294 batting average while Kayleigh White, Adison Hicks and Bailey Broemmer have each bashed home runs for the Racers.
As two former conference rivals, the two programs have met 37 times previously with Murray State edging out UT Martin in the all-time series by a 20-17 margin. The Racers have gotten the best of the Skyhawks in recent history, winning eight of the last nine meetings while the two squads have not met since March of 2022.
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Players Mentioned
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OF/P
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