Skyhawks Split Day 1 at South Alabama Invitational

Friday, February 20

Mobile, Ala.

10 a.m.

UT Martin

7-3

Loyola Chicago

6-5

Loyola (IL)

UT Martin

Skyhawks Split Day 1 at South Alabama Invitational

2/20/2026 5:46:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 LUC BOX SCORE (PDF)UWG BOX SCORE (PDF)

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team split a pair of games Friday on the opening day of the South Alabama Invitational at Jaguar Field in Mobile. The Skyhawks dropped game one to Loyola Chicago, 6-3, but bounced back in game two with an 11-1, five-inning win over West Georgia.

Game 1 – Loyola Chicago 6, UT Martin 3
Despite seven hits in the opener, the Skyhawks had trouble getting timely hits to plate runners. Loyola took a 2-0 lead in the third, but UT Martin cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning on a bunt single from Karena Recrosio that plated Carly Ward, who tripled in the previous at-bat.

The Ramblers would go on to add a run in the fourth and three in the third, on a base-clearing double, to give them a 6-1 lead. In the bottom of the sixth, Avary Makarewicz and Addie Roberts both had RBI-doubles to cut the lead to 6-3, headed to the seventh.

In the seventh, relief pitcher Natalie Kreuziger retired the side, in order, to give her team a chance at a comeback. With one out, Kennedy Brown singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch and Ward walked to bring the tying run to the plate. However, it was not to be, as Karena Recrosio lined into an inning-ending double play, preserving the 6-3 win for Loyola.

Dylan Scott and Ava Scott also had doubles in the game, to round out the seven different Skyhawks to tally a hit in the game. Kreuziger was impressive in her relief outing, going 1.1 innings and not allowing any runs, hits or walks, while striking out one.

Game 2 – UT Martin 11, West Georgia 1 (5 Inn.)
The Skyhawks bounced back in game two by scoring 11 runs on nine hits, while limiting West Georgia to just one run on only two hits.

Four different Skyhawks tallied two hits in the game with Kennedy Brown leading the way at 2-for-3 with two runs, three RBIs and a triple. Avary Makarewicz was also 2-for-3 in the game with two runs, two RBIs and a walk. Carly Ward and Jordyn Hustey were both 2-for-3 in game two, with Hustey driving in two runs and Ward driving in one. Ava Scott also had a solid day at the plate, scoring three runs, going 1-for-2 with a RBI and two walks.

In the circle, Natalie Kreuziger improved to 2-0 by allowing no runs on one hit with four strikeouts over the first three innings. Payton Harris finished the game for UT Martin, allowing one run on one hit with two strikeouts over the final two frames.

UT Martin continues play in the South Alabama Invitational Saturday by taking on West Georgia again at 4:30 p.m., followed by the host Jaguars at 7 p.m.