FRIDAY'S SCORES
Tennessee Tech 11, Western Carolina 0
Mercer 1, Tennessee Tech 0
Eastern Illinois 5, Iowa State 3
@Kentucky 4, Jacksonville State 1
Austin Peay 2, Quinnipiac 0
Western Michigan 9, Austin Peay 0
UMKC 7, Southeast Missouri 1
Saint Louis 10, Southeast Missouri
Kennesaw State 5, UT Martin 3
Jacksonville State 9, Western Kentucky 8
Arkansas 9, Eastern Illinois 1
UT Maritn 7, Bowling Green 3
TENNESSEE TECH 11, WESTERN CAROLINA 0; MERCER 1, TENNESSEE TECH
WOODSTOCK, Ga. - The Golden Eagles gave starter Maddie Schmissrauter a five-run lead after the first inning, and that was more than enough as the junior shutout Western Carolina, 11-0, in Tennessee Tech's first game of the Buzz Classic hosted by Georgia Tech. TTU then narrowly fell in a pitchers' duel, 1-0, in the second game of the day against Mercer.
With the split, Tech moves to 6-6 on the season, while Western Carolina is now 3-6 and Mercer improves to 10-6.
Tech 11, Western Carolina 0
An 11-run victory is not the only reason why the Golden Eagles were excited on Friday as Tech's Lacie Coquerille made her 2010 season debut after missing the Golden Eagles first two tournaments of the season.
Coquerille, a First Team All-OVC honoree last season, made her presence felt immediately in Friday's game as she singled up the middle in the 1st inning to knock in Whitney Cummings as part of a 5-run first inning.
In her second at-bat, Coquerille led off the 3rd inning with a solo home run to give the Golden Eagles a 6-0 lead, and she capped off her day with double to left-center as part of a 3-for-3 day at the plate.
Coquerille was not the only Golden Eagle swinging a hot bat on Friday as TTU finished with 12 hits total and eight Golden Eagles had at least one hit.
Chanelle Spalding and Schmissrauter both had a multi-hit game with Spalding going going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Schmissrauter helping her own cause with a 2-for-3 day at the plate and one RBI.
Cummings finished the game 1-for-2 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored, while Brittany Spalding went 1-for-2 with three RBIs and Callie Schmidt was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
In the circle, Schmissrauter was nearly untouchable as she pitched 5.0 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and just four hits allowed. Schmissrauter (2-1) made her first start of the season after coming in relief in her first five appearances this season.
Mercer 1, Tech 0
After losing 9-1 in their first match-up with Mercer this season, the Golden Eagles made Friday's contest much more interesting as Holly Thomas kept the Bears' bats at quiet for most of the afternoon.
Thomas pitched a complete game two-hitter for the Golden Eagles, but unfortunately for TTU, both of those hits came in the 5th inning as Mercer pushed across the lone run of the game. Thomas struck out nine and walked just three in 7.0 innings of work as she moves to 4-3 on the season.
The Golden Eagles' best scoring opportunity came in the 4th inning when Kaleigh Gates and Lacie Coquerille hit back-to-back two-out singles to put runners on first and second. Both runners would be stranded there as Mercer pitcher Jenni Holtz struck out Thomas to end the inning.
In addition to Gates and Coquerille, the Golden Eagles got hits from Melody Christian, Chanelle Spalding and Brooke Basten in the game.
Tech returns to action on Saturday, March 6 when the Golden Eagles play two more games at the Buzz Classic. TTU will square off against James Madison to start the day and take on Mississippi later in the day.
EASTERN ILLINOIS 5, IOWA STATE 3; ARKANSAS 9, EASTERN ILLINOIS 1
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.- Four different Panthers collected a hit as the Eastern Illinois softball squad took an early lead and held on to beat Midwest rival Iowa State, 5-3, but then lost to the host Razorbacks, 9-1, in a six-inning nightcap at the Arkansas Invitational on Friday.
The split moves the Panthers to 6-4 on the season and 1-1 on the first day of the three-day, six-squad weekend tournament.
Versus Iowa State, third baseman Kiley Holtz nailed an RBI double, the second of the season for the junior, while senior center fielder Angie Danca's tallied her own RBI single. An RBI walk by fellow senior Megan Nelson and a passed ball score would help lead the Panthers to the win.
In the bottom of the first inning, EIU, the designated home squad, lit up the scoreboard via Holtz's RBI double to left field, which scored freshman Melise Brown from second base. That would be followed by Danca's RBI single that plated junior first baseman Melinda Jackson.
Then in their own half of the second frame, Eastern loaded the bases via a single by sophomore catcher Hailee Hanna, two ISU miscues and a walk by Brown. Nelson would earn her RBI walk, scoring Morgan from third. That would force a pitching change by Iowa State, where they would pick up a strikeout on Jackson, but a passed ball by the ISU catcher would advance Brown to second and bring freshman second baseman Ally Seplak home from third.
An RBI ground-out to short by Holtz would account for the last Eastern run as Brown scampered home for her second score of the game.
However, ISU (7-10) would nearly pull even, finally getting on the board with a three-run fourth inning as three consecutive singles led to an RBI sacrifice fly and another RBI single.
Consecutive scoreless innings led up to a tense seventh inning for EIU, as the Cyclones took advantage of two Panther errors to place runners on second and third with zero outs. But junior ace thrower Amber May would get one of the inning by tallying her fourth strikeout of the game, which would then be followed by a ground out and line out helping the Panthers secure the win.
May upped her record to 3-2 with the complete game victory in the circle. Besides her four Ks, she held the ISU offense to zero hits until the fourth inning and didn't allow a single walk on the day after facing 29 batters.
Eastern picked up the win despite committing two errors to just one for ISU, while the Cyclones out-hit the Panthers, six-to-four. Plus, EIU stranded just three runners, compared to five for Iowa State.
In the nightcap loss to Arkansas, the host team made the most of their home opener by scoring seven runs in the first two innings, including a two-RBI homer in the first.
The Panthers got on the board in their half of the third frame, as freshman Ally Seplak earned a ground-out RBI, plating sophomore Maria Sorrentino.
Unfortunately Arkansas tagged two more runs, including a two-out walk-off sacrifice fly RBI in the bottom of the sixth to win the mercy-rule game.
EIU finished with six hits in the loss, but also committed three miscues and allowed nine Razorback hits while stranding five runners to only two for UA. Leading the Panthers was junior Kiley Holtz, off a 2-for-3 plate appearance.
Seniors Megan Nelson and Denee' Menzione also registered a hit, as did junior Melinda Jackson and sophomore Hayley Pieper.
Freshmen Hailie Ray and Natalie Wunderlich both provided the pitching, with Ray being tabbed with the loss off of one inning of work. Wunderlich picked up the lone Panther strikeout, while they combined for five walks and nine runs and hits.
KENTUCKY 4, JACKSONVILLE STATE 1; JACKSONVILLE STATE 9, WESTERN KENTUCKY 8
WOODSTOCK, Ga. - A late rally lifted the Jacksonville State softball team to a 9-8 extra-inning win over Western Kentucky on Friday and salvaged a split after falling 4-1 to No. 23 Kentucky on the opening day of the Georgia Tech Buzz Classic.
Against the Hilltoppers in the nightcap, the Gamecocks (5-5) trailed 5-1 heading into the fifth inning, rallied and then pulled off the win in the ninth. Senior Hillary Downs went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in the win to pace a 14-hit attack by the JSU offense, while freshman Krystal Ruth's ninth-inning two-run home run put the game just out of reach.
In the first game of the day, Kentucky's Chanda Bell held the Gamecocks' offense at bay after settling in. She allowed two hits over the first two innings, including a solo home run by junior Amanda Crow in the second, but didn't allow a hit from that point. Senior Nikki Prier doubled in the first to account for the Gamecocks' other hit.
Natalie Smith and Molly Johnson each went 2-for-4 for the Wildcats, while Meagan Aull's first home run of the season capped UK's six-hit afternoon.
Junior Ashley Eliasson (1-5) lost her fifth-straight decision after allowing four runs, two earned, on six hits in six innings in the circle. She struck out four and walked three and continued to struggle in the field, making two errors. Freshman Hilary Phillips came on in the seventh with no out and a runner on and put the Wildcats down in order.
JSU bats finally came to life midway through the final game of the day, after three WKU runs in the third and two more in the fourth put the Gamecocks down 5-1. JSU got its early run off of the bat of sophomore Tess Echols, who belted her first home run in a JSU uniform to give the Gamecocks a short-lived one-run lead.
Downs pulled JSU within two runs at 5-3 in the fifth with her first home run of the season, one that followed a double from senior Chrissy O'Neal. The Gamecocks cut that deficit in half in the sixth on a Downs single that plated Echols, who led off the frame with a walk, from second.
The Gamecocks claimed a 6-5 lead with a two-run seventh, thanks to an RBI single from freshman Kelci Johnston and a fielder's choice from Echols that drove in Kaycee Crow from third. That lead would also be short lived, as the Hilltoppers sent the game into extra innings on Katrina Metoyer's RBI single.
An infield single from freshman Sam Rich plated Krystal Ruth and gave the Gamecocks a 7-6 lead in the top of the eight, but WKU would answer with a run to tie it again in the home half of the inning, thanks to a run-scoring double off of the bat of Elizabeth Ferrell.
Ruth did her magic in the top of the ninth with a two-out blast to right center that was her second career hit and her second career home run. The Hilltoppers got one in the bottom of the inning but Eliasson settled in to strike out the side with the tying run on third and the winning run on first.
Eliasson (2-5) used a solid relief appearance to snap a skid of five-straight losses in the circle. The Vallejo, Calif., native allowed three runs, one earned, on six hits in 4.1 innings of relief work. She struck out five and walked a pair in relief of Sam Snow, who surrendered three runs, one earned, on four hits in three innings. Rich tossed 1.2 innings and allowed two runs on three hits and a couple of walks.
Mallorie Sulaski suffered the loss for WKU after surrendering seven runs, five earned, on 11 hits in 7.1 innings in the circle. She struck out five and walked five in the process.
Rich also finished the game with three hits in five at bats, while six Gamecocks recorded one hit. Echols was 1-for-3 with two walks, two RBI and two runs scored.
AUSTIN PEAY 2, QUINNIPIAC 0; WESTERN MICHIGAN 9, AUSTIN PEAY 0
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Austin Peay split its opening two games at the University of South Florida Under Armor Invitational Friday, as the Lady Govs got a five-hit shutout from freshman Morgan Brewer in Game 1 versus Quinnipiac, a 2-0 win, but fell to Western Michigan in the second game, 9-0, in five innings.
For Brewer, who is from Collierville and played at Houston High School, it's her second shutout of the young season and improves her overall record to 3-1.
The win for Austin Peay (4-10) also ended a five-game losing streak for the Lady Govs, as they got out to an early lead, something they haven't been able to do very much so far this season, scoring twice in the first inning.
Junior Tiffany Smith would open the game for Austin Peay by drawing a walk and then moved to second base on a sacrifice by sophomore Amy Mills.
Sophomore Catie Cozart followed with a single threw the right side of the infield, scoring Smith, and the Lady Govs led 1-0.
Austin Peay's other run also came in the bottom of the first inning, with two outs, as senior Brittany Williams - who reached base on a walk - scored from third on a wild pitch.
That would be all that Brewer would need, as she limited the Bobcats (3-4) to five hits and two walks, while striking out three.
The second game wasn't so kind to the Lady Govs, as Western Michigan (4-5) sent 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the second inning - scoring five times - on the way to the 9-0 victory.
Senior Detra Farley led the Lady Govs in Game 2 by getting on base three times, via a hit and two walks, while freshman Jordan Cole added a double and Cozart walking twice.
LIPSCOMB 6, MURRAY STATE 0
NASHVILLE - The Murray State softball team fell to Lipscomb, 6-0, in the first game of the Lady Bison Classic in Nashville, Tenn.
Junior Kristen Broadway earned the start in the circle for the Racers (1-7) and recorded three strike outs in 3.1 innings of work.
Lipscomb was the first to get on the scoreboard in the second inning after the first batter doubled and was brought in on a single two batters later. The Lady Bisons added two more runs later in the bottom of the third. Lipscomb made the score 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth on a double with the bases loaded.
The Racers got their first scoring chance in the top of the fourth when Jenna Bradley walked, Lauren Buch reached on an error on the shortstop and Ellyn Troup was walked to load the bases with two outs. Kaitlyn England then drew a full count but struck out to end the inning.
The Lady Bison added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run home run.
UMKC 7, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 1; SAINT LOUIS 10, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 2
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State softball team had a rough start to the Missouri Breast Cancer Awareness Tournament on Friday afternoon at University Field. The Redhawks dropped their opening game 7-1 to UMKC before concluding the day with a 10-2 setback against Saint Louis.
Against the Roos, the Redhawks (4-5) held an early 1-0 lead before giving up five runs in the top of the fifth inning.
Junior Nicole Troncoso (Boston College/Palmdale, Calif.) drove in the Redhawks lone run in the bottom half of the third. Melissa Walker (North Florida/Panama City, Fla.) led off the inning with a walk and Troncoso doubled into the centerfield gap to plate Walker.
Redhawks starter Stefanie Barnes (James Logan/Union City, Calif.) was in a groove the first four innings, allowing just three hits, before running into trouble in the five-run fifth inning.
The biggest blow of the inning was Emily Ott's bases-clearing double that plated three.
The Roos added two more runs in the top half of the seventh for the final runs of the game.
The Redhawks managed just three hits off of starter Anna Sokolik who worked around six walks for the complete game victory.
Barnes (2-3) was charged with the loss after allowing seven runs (just two earned) on eight hits and two walks in her complete game effort.
Shelby Stein (Columbia/Columbia, Ill.) collected two of the Redhawks hits as she went 2-4. It was her second multi-hit game of the season.
Senior Alex Ramirez (El Modena/Corona, Calif.) collected three walks. She moved into third place on the school's career walks chart.
The Roos were led by Amanda Kinn, who went 3-4 with three RBI
In their second game of the day, the Redhawks bats struggled again, managing just two runs on seven hits.
The Billikens snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Redhawks thanks to three homeruns. After scoring a run in each of the first five innings, the Billikens put the game away with five runs in the sixth.
Those five runs answered the Redhawks two runs scored in the top half of the sixth.
Stein drove in pinch runner Whitney Dupuis (Sulphur/Sulphur, La.) with a fielder's choice. Ramirez then followed with a two-out single through the left side of the infield to plate Troncoso to make it 5-2.
With two runners on, the Billikens brought in reliever Kelcie Matesa to retire Jennifer Vasquez to end the Redhawks threat.
Dupuis (2-2) struggled in the circle for the Redhawks, she allowed 10 hits on 11 runs (seven earned) in 5.2 innings.
Her Billiken counterpart, Hannah Huebbe, allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out five in 5.2 innings. She improved her record to 4-4.
Troncoso collected her team-best fourth multi-hit game of the season. She went 3-4 with her second double of the day. She extended her hitting streak to a career-best 14 games which dates back to last season.
Ramirez went 2-4 for her third multi-hit game of the season.
Three Billikens collected multiple hits led by Brittney Schmidt who went 3-3 with a double, a home run and four RBI. Nicki Jost also collected three hits including a two-run home run.
KENNESAW STATE 5, UT MARTIN 3; UT MARTIN 7, BOWLING GREEN 3
WOODSTOCK, Ga. - UT Martin earned a split on the first day of the Buzz Classic, defeating Bowling Green (7-3) and falling to Kennesaw State (5-3)
Against the Falcons, the Skyhawks improve to 10-1 on the year and have reach the 10 win plateau the quickest in team history.
Bain got her 18th career home run out of the way early when she launched a two-out shot over the left field wall to give the Skyhawks an early 1-0 lead. Bowling Green was able to answer with a run of its own and push the tying run across the plate in the bottom half of the first.
Bowling Green then capitalized on a passed ball by Skyhawk pitcher Paij Lintz in the third inning to move a runner to third before Rachel Proehl lined a double to left field and give the Eagles a 2-1 lead. Bowling Green had an opportunity to push an additional run across the plate in the third but Proehl was thrown out at the plate attempting to score from third.
The Skyhawks responded in the fifth inning to move back in front for good by posting three runs and moving ahead 4-2. After Kala Mathis legged out a single to shortstop and later stole second, she was knocked in on a Chelsea Cary single to right field. Bain then lined a double to right field, giving Cary enough time to cross the plate, before Bain herself scored on the following at bat on a Laura Roberts RBI single.
Bowling Green cut the Skyhawk lead to only one with a homer by Hannah Fulk in the bottom of the fifth, but the Skyhawks were able to answer with two in the top of the sixth and an insurance run in the seventh to set the final score at 7-3.
In the sixth Laurie Lindow lined a double down the left field line to move runners into scoring position at second and third. The Skyhawks then scored both runners on a Bowling Green error to move their lead to 6-3. Bain added the final run in the sixth with a solo-shot over the left field wall, giving her 19 in her career and sole possession of fifth place in program history.
Lintz picked up the win for UT Martin tossing 7.0 innings with nine strikeouts and surrendering only seven hits and three runs. Bain led the Skyhawks at the plate, going 3-4 with three runs scored and three RBI.
The Owls of Kennesaw State opened the game by getting to freshman Skyhawk pitcher Leevie Greenwood, scoring four runs before the first out could be recorded. The first two batters each both reached on singles, then Ashlee Burkett knocked in the first run with a RBI double down the right field line. Jenna Closner then cleared the bases and put Kennesaw State on top 4-0 with a three-run homer to left center field.
The Owls added another run in the fourth inning to take a 5-0 lead and match the largest deficit faced by the Skyhawks this year. UT Martin posted its first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. The Skyhawks loaded the bases with two outs then Kate Vanderham scored from third when Kennesaw State's Jessica Cross tossed a wild pitch past the catcher. A Megan Latimer walk loaded the bases for UT Martin again in the fourth, but it was unable to capitalize when Jordan Garrett hit a soft grounder to third, ending the inning.
UT Martin continued its comeback effort in the fifth with two more runs when a Megan Williams lined a double to left field, scoring Jenny Bain and Megan Van Arsdale. That moved the score to 5-3 but was as close as the Skyhawks could cut into the Kennesaw State lead though as the Owls were able to hold the Skyhawk bats at bay the rest of the game.
Greenwood took the loss for UT Martin, falling to 0-1 on the year. She tossed 7.0 innings with six strikeouts, but gave up five runs and nine hits in her first complete game effort as a Skyhawk.
Williams and Van Arsdale both went 2-3 at the plate, while Bain picked up one hit to extend her current hitting streak to a season-best six consecutive games. Williams had the only two RBI for UT Martin, while Van Arsdale scored a pair of runs.