ETSU run rules Tennessee Tech in game one; Bucs split doubleheader

Published 12:05 pm Wednesday, April 19, 2023

COOKEVILLE – Playing the final non-conference regular season road games, the ETSU softball team split a doubleheader at Tennessee Tech on Tuesday night in Cookeville. The Bucs run-ruled Tennessee Tech, 11-3, after six innings in game one, while falling in the nightcap, 8-0, in five innings.

With the split at the Tech Softball Field, ETSU moved to 12-30 overall, while Tennessee Tech picked up their fourth win of the season, improving to 4-38.

Falling behind 3-0 in the first two innings, the ETSU softball scored 11 unanswered runs en route to rallying for the 11-3 six-inning victory.

The Bucs – who out-hit Tennessee Tech 9-4 – scored eight runs in the sixth inning to cruise to the eight-run victory.

ETSU’s top four hitters in its lineup accounted for eight hits, six runs scored and five RBI. Kemiah Michel (Gallatin, Tenn.), Cameron Young (Knoxville, Tenn.), Sara Muir and Riley Nayadley (Ooltewah, Tenn.) provided the damage at the top of the lineup.

Tennessee Tech jumped out to the 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second, but from there, it was all Blue & Gold.

ETSU answered the call an inning later as the Bucs plated two runs to pull within one, 3-2. The Bucs landed runners on base with a walk and a fielder’s choice, while Young ignited the comeback by driving in her 14th RBI of the season when her single to center brought home Michel. An out later, Nayadley picked up her 39th hit of the year, allowing Young to cross home plate.

In the top of the fourth, ETSU tied the game at 3-3 as Michel bunted her way on base and it gave Jessica Odom (Jefferson City, Tenn.) the opportunity to score the tying run.

After a scoreless frame in the fifth, the Buccaneer offense came to life in the top of the sixth. Reaching base after being walked, Odom stole second and later scored with the help of an error. Also being walked, Makala Strickland (Ooltewah, Tenn.) scored on a fielder’s choice in the next at-bat. Holding the lead for the first time of the game, Young registered her second RBI of the game to extend the margin to three, 6-3. The scoring spree continued as ETSU had runners on first and second, when Nayadley’s single to third scored Michel. With the bases loaded, Taylor Suchy (Sterling, Va.) recorded her 10th collegiate hit, as she singled to help score Young – and after TTU picked up an out – the Bucs scored with the final two runs with the help of an error and an RBI ground out by Strickland.

The ETSU defense, behind another complete-game performance by Brianna Bailey (Wewahitchka, Tenn.), ended game one with back-to-back groundouts.

Despite trailing 2-0 through four complete innings, the Buccaneers didn’t have another comeback in the books as Tennessee plated six runs in the bottom of the fifth, securing an 8-0 victory.

The Golden Eagles received all the offense they needed in the top of the first when xxx Shoulders scored on an RBI single to down the left field line by Bryson.

Two innings later, Bryson came through again as she belted a solo home run to left, pushing the lead to, 2-0.

ETSU had runners on base in all five innings, including having Buccaneers in scoring position in three of the five frames. Unfortunately, the Blue and Gold went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position, while TTU converted on four of its eight chances.

The Eagles ended the game in the fifth as they plated all six runs with one out and only needed three hits to do the damage.

ETSU: Brianna Bailey (9-9) – win | Game two: Whitley Arnott (1-6) – loss

Tennessee Tech: Callie Piper (2-16) – loss | Game two: Kaylan Cole (2-12) – win

Having the weekend off, the Blue and Gold will return to action next Tuesday, April 25, as the Bucs host Radford for a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Betty Basler Field.

For more information on Buccaneer softball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the softball tab.