SATURDAY'S SCORES
James Madison 8,
Austin Peay 0 (5)
Austin Peay 3, Central Michigna 1
Tennessee Tech 3, Maine 1
Jackson State 7,
Morehead State 2
Morehead State 8, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 4
Sam Houston State 4,
Belmont 3
@#6 LSU 4,
Belmont 0
Eastern Illinois 3, Mount St. Mary's 2
@Gardner Webb 6,
Eastern Illinois 0
@UT Martin 2, Purdue Fort Wayne 1
@UT Martin 3, Wright State 0
North Alabama 7,
Murray State 0
Murray State 11, Grambling State 0 (5)
SIUE 5, @Chattanooga 2
SIUE 6, Miami (Ohio) 4
Eastern Kentucky 4, George Washington 2
Eastern Kentucky 9, Brown 1
@Tennessee State 7, Central Connecticut 1
Jacksonville State 6, Abilene Christian 2
Jacksonville State 3, Incarnate Word 2
Southeast Missouri 3, Howard 0
Southeast Missouri 4, Grambling State 1
JAMES MADISON 8, AUSTIN PEAY 0; AUSITN PEAY 3, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1
ATHENS, Ga. – Shelby Harpe threw a two-hit complete game and Katelyn Smith hit first collegiate home run to lead the Austin Peay State University softball team past Central Michigan, 3-1, Saturday afternoon at Jack Turner Stadium, in Day 2 of the 17th Annual Georgia Classic after dropping their morning contest to #21 nationally ranked James Madison, 8-0.
Austin Peay (4-6) would have a couple of scoring chances early-on versus James Madison (5-2), putting runners into scoring position in both the first and third innings, but couldn’t punch anything across.
The Dukes on the other hand scored an early first inning run, with the Govs holding them there until the bottom of the fourth inning, when they erupted for four runs on six hits to extend their lead to 5-0.
James Madison would close out the game with three more runs in the fifth for the 8-0 final.
In the nightcap versus Central Michigan, after trading zeros for the first two innings, Austin Peay would score the game’s first run in the bottom of the third inning, with Emily Moore driving in pinch runner Katie Keen with a sacrifice fly.
The Chippewas (1-8) would tie the game, 1-1, with their only run of the game in the top of the fifth inning, but the Govs responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead, 2-1.
Brett Jackson would open the frame by being hit by a pitch then move into scoring position at second base on a sacrifice bunt by Smith.
After an infield single by Moore moved Jackson to third, she would score on a single off the Central Michigan pitcher’s glove by Dudley.
That would be all the runs that Harpe would need, as she limited Central Michigan to just two hits and three walks, while striking out four.
The Govs would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on Smith’s home run off the scoreboard in left field.
TENNESSEE TECH 3, MAINE 1
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Tennessee Tech got off to a quick start, then Alyssa Arden held off the Maine Black Bears on Saturday as the Golden Eagles won their third straight game, topping Maine 3-1 at the Wings Etc. Classic at USC Upstate.
Arden, improving to 5-1 on the season, went the distance, allowing one run on six hits, while walking four and striking out nine.
Her counterpart, Caitlyn Fallon, took her first loss, allowing two runs on four hits, walking two and striking out one in three innings of work. Kyleigh O’Donnell came on in relief, allowing one run on one hit and striking out four.
With two down in the bottom of the first, Haeli Bryson walked on four straight pitches, then Raleigh Lewis reached on an error at short. Nicolle Nysted drilled a ball into center field, picking up her 10th RBI of the young season on the single.
Tech added its second run in the next frame as Jessie Lowery drove in KaDedra Temple with a single up the middle.
Maine cut the Golden Eagle lead in half in the third with an RBI double, but Tech took that run back in the bottom of the fifth as Lewis hit her fifth home run of the season with a drive to left center, just two behind NCAA leaders Ciara Bryan (Georgia) and Bailey Vannoy (Charlotte).
The Golden Eagles return to action on Sunday as they close out the Wings Etc. Classic with a contest against Virginia at 10 a.m. Central, followed by a game against tournament host USC Upstate at 2 p.m. Central.
JACKSON STATE 7, MOREHEAD STATE 2; MOREHEAD STATE 8, ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 4
CONWAY, Ark. – In just its second week of play during the 2020 season, the Morehead State softball team earned its third win to tie its 2019 win total. The Eagles split games with Jackson State and Arkansas - Pine Bluff in the Michelle Short Memorial Classic hosted by Central Arkansas on Saturday.
The team dropped their first game of the day against Jackson State (6-6) 7-2 before rallying to defeat Arkansas – Pine Bluff (0-12) 8-4.
Junior Alexis Strother combined to go 3-for-6 with a double and three RBI in the Eagles' two contests. Senior Randi Hamilton (2-0) appeared in both games, pitching a combined 3.2 innings while allowing only two hits.
Morehead State, now 3-3 overall, returns to action on Sunday against Southern Mississippi at 10:00 a.m. and Central Arkansas at 12:15 p.m. ET.
Sophomore Adeline Nicholson began the scoring in the top of the first on an RBI bunt single. Jackson State tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a wild pitch from freshman Carolyn Alincic. The Tigers scored two more on RBI single that drove in one and a throwing error that brought home another to make it a 3-1 ballgame. An RBI double furthered Jackson State's lead to 4-1. Strother's double in the third scored a run for the Eagles. The Tigers hit a double of their own in the bottom of the third that brought home a runner. The final scoring play of the contest came on a two-RBI double in the fourth to account for the 7-2 margin.
The top four hitters for the Eagles combined to go 5-for-11 in the game but the rest of lineup was held without a hit. Sophomore Peyton Slater went 1-for-2 in the game with a run scored and was hit by a pitch. Freshman Carolyn Alincic (0-1) took the loss for the game, giving up six earned runs in 3.2 innings pitched.
The Golden Lions scored in the top of the first on an RBI double. Morehead State tied the game at 1 in the bottom of the inning when Strother singled to left field. Freshman Taylor Rhea crossed the plate in the fourth when she advanced on a play that caught Randi Hamilton stealing. A throwing error by Pine Bluff's third baseman drove home a run in the fifth. UAPB took a 4-3 lead in the sixth on an RBI groundout and two RBI singles. The Eagles fought back in the bottom of the inning to tie the game on a flyout by Helyna Bissell before taking the lead for good an RBI bunt single that made it a 5-4 game. Morehead State continued its scoring on a two-RBI single by freshman Kirya Kingery and another RBI single by Strother to account for the 8-4 margin.
Randi Hamilton did it all for the Eagles as she went 2-for-3 in the game while also picking up the win. Morehead State out-hit the Golden Lions 10-9. Sophomore Maddie Kawall went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Freshman Kirya Kingery went 1-for-2 with two RBI, two runs scored, and a walk.
EASTERN ILLINOIS 3, MOUNT ST. MARY'S 2; GARDNER WEBB 6, EASTERN ILLINOIS 0
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – At day two of the Gardner-Webb Tournament the Panthers split, beating Mount St. Mary's 3-2 and losing to Gardner-Webb 0-6.
The Panthers are now 6-5 on the season heading into the last day of the tournament. Eastern will face Northern Kentucky for the second-time Sunday (Feb. 23) at 10 a.m.
Game 1
In the first game Eastern Illinois struck first with a Megan Burton two-run homer as Jade Montgomery was already on base. Mount St. Mary's matched Burtons home run with a single RBI in the third and fifth inning making it 2-2.
The Panthers were able to get the bats going again as Amber Cieplinski hits Burton across the plate for the Panther win in the seventh inning.
The Panthers were led by Megan Burton and Jade Montgomery at the plate with two hits each. Taylor Florea pitched five innings with one strikeout and Montgomery pitched two innings with four strikeouts.
Game 2
In the second game, the Panthers were not able to get the bats going as Mia Davis and Megan Burton were the only Panthers to get hits. Gardner-Webb got off to a fast start as Andrea Lyon had an RBI double and Brooke Perry had a two-run homer in the first inning.
In the sixth inning, GWSU got two more runs to win the second meeting between the two teams 6-0.
The Panthers were led by Davis and Burton at the plate with one hit each. Montgomery pitched five innings with four strike outs and Hannah Cravens pitched one inning striking out all three batters.
UT MARTIN 2, PURDUE FORT WAYNE 1; UT MARTIN 3, WRIGHT STATE 0
MARTIN, Tenn. - The home confines of Bettye Giles Field have been especially friendly to the University of Tennessee at Martin softball team this week as the Skyhawks push their winning streak to four with a pair of victories over Purdue Fort Wayne (2-1) and Wright State (3-0) on the opening day of the Huddle House Classic this afternoon.
The Skyhawks (8-5) picked up a pair of victories on Thursday and continued their hot play with another impressive afternoon on Saturday. UT Martin tallied 15 hits and six stolen bases on the day while the pitching staff allowed zero earned runs in 14 innings of action.
Sophomore Shyanne Sheffield paced the offensive unit with four hits on the afternoon along with a pair of RBIs and three stolen bases to lead the squad. Three other players tallied a pair of base hits as Chelsey Gore, Skyler Davis and Emily Alexander had nice outings while Kenna Garst and Aalia Bivens combined to drive in three runs.
The pitching duo of Hannah Ridolfi (3-1, 1.03 ERA) and Erin Gallagher (4-2, 2.87 ERA) were outstanding in the circle. Ridolfi earned the victory against Purdue Fort Wayne, striking out seven and allowing zero earned runs in a complete game. Gallagher was nearly untouchable, striking out five and allowing zero runs or walks in a shutout victory – the first of her career.
Game 12: UT Martin 2, Purdue Fort Wayne 1
UT Martin jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Alexander would work a walk to spark the frame before swiping second base. The freshman would move over to third base before making the final trek around the bases on a RBI-single by Bivens to take an early advantage.
The Skyhawks would add to their lead with a key insurance run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Paige Clark tallied an infield single before swiping a stolen base to move into scoring position. She later came home to score on a RBI-single by Sheffield to pad the margin.
Purdue Fort Wayne did not go down quietly, scraping out a run in the top of the seventh.
After a pair of outs to open the inning, an error kept the Mastodons away from extinction. With an extra out extending the inning, Olivia Stansbury made the most of the opportunity with a RBI to trim the margin. The Skyhawks would settle down as Ridolfi closed out the game with a strikeout to end the scoring threat.
Game 13: UT Martin 3, Wright State 0
Much like against Purdue Fort Wayne, UT Martin scored in the first inning to put the pressure on Wright State. The Skyhawks would load the bases in the bottom of the first before Sheffield laced a single through the left side to put the home squad on the board.
The Skyhawks scored the game’s final runs in the bottom of the third inning. Sheffield worked another single through the left side before swiping one of her three stolen bases to move into scoring position. After UT Martin placed runners at second and third with two outs, Garst dumped a single to right field to clear the bases and give the Skyhawks a 3-0 lead which Gallagher would not relinquish.
UT Martin returns to action at the Huddle House Classic on Sunday, Feb. 23. The Skyhawks will play Wright State at 10:30 a.m. with a matchup against Purdue Fort Wayne to follow at approximately 1 p.m.
SIUE 5, CHATTANOOGA 2; SIUE 6, MIAMI (OHIO) 4
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - SIUE softball improved to 6-0 with a pair of wins at the 2020 Frost Classic.
The Cougars bested host Chattanooga in the opening game of the day 5-2 and followed that up with a 6-4 win over Miami (Ohio).
Zoe Schafer also belted her third home run of the season for the Cougars, which came from behind in the nightcap.
Kloe Hilbrenner ripped three hits in the nightcap.
Emily Ingles earned the win in the opening game of the day with Lexi King adding her first collegiate save against Chattanooga.
Ingles also shut down Miami in the late innings.
SIUE continues play at the Frost Classic Sunday morning with an 8 a.m. CT game against UNLV and a 10 a.m. contest against St. Francis (Pa.).
EASTERN KENTUCKY 4, GEORGE WASHINGTON 2; EASTERN KENTUCKY 9, BROWN 1
WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Eastern Kentucky University softball team swept a pair of contests on Saturday to push its winning streak to six games.
Eastern beat George Washington in game one, 4-2, before knocking off Brown in game two, 9-1.
In game one, George Washington (2-11) struck first.
Jessica Linquist reached to start the game after being hit by a pitch. After the next two batters were retired, Sidney Bloomfield and Elena Shelepak recorded back-to-back singles to bring home Linquist and give the Colonials a 1-0 lead.
The Colonels answered back in the bottom of the second.
Eastern Kentucky (10-2) scored three in the bottom of the second to take the lead for good.
Vianna Barron got hit by a pitch, Mattira Morales singled and Gabriela De La Cerda walked to load the bases with one out. Miranda Lopez brought home the Colonels’ first run of the game with a fielder’s choice to tie the game at 1-1. Sammi Miller followed suit with a double into the right center gap to bring home De La Cerda and Lopez and give the Eastern the 3-1 lead.
GWU got a run back in the top of the third.
A one out triple by Bloomfield got things started for the Colonials. Bloomfield came home to score on a stolen base.
Amanda Sjoberg scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the third to give Eastern the 4-2 lead.
Samantha Reynoso (3-1) went the distance in the circle, going seven innings, allowing two runs and striking out three.
Morales went 2-for-3 at the plate. Miller went 1-for-3 with one double and two RBIs.
In game two, the Colonels struck for four runs in the first and one more in the second to go ahead 5-0 against Brown.
Ariyana Miranda drew a one out walk in the first, followed by a single by Zoe Mihalicz to put runners on first and second with one out. Morales brought home the first run after an error by the right fielder. Vianna Barron made the Bears pay even more. Barron took a 0-1 pitch over the left field wall to give Eastern the early 4-0 lead.
Carly Robinson brought home Miller in the top of the second to push the EKU lead to 5-0.
Eastern scored two more in the fourth and sixth innings to give the Colonels a 9-1 lead.
Miranda’s fifth home run of the season in the top of the sixth inning put the run rule into effect.
Bethany Todd (3-0) started in the circle, tossing four and one-third innings, allowing one run and striking out three. Mollie Paulick pitched the last one and two-third innings.
Miranda went 2-for-3 with one home run and two RBIs. Barron went 1-for-3 with one home run and three RBIs.
Eastern wraps up the weekend tomorrow in Wilmington against Brown and the host UNC Wilmington. First pitch against Brown is scheduled for 12 p.m.
JACKSONVILLE STATE 6, ABILENE CHRISTIAN 2; JACKSONVILLE STATE 3, INCARNATE WORD 2
YOUNGSVILLE, La. - The Jacksonville State softball team swept a pair of games on Saturday at the Southeastern Louisiana Mardi Gras Mambo, grabbing a 6-2 win over Abilene Christian and a 3-2 victory over Incarnate Word.
The Gamecocks (6-5) used a six-run seventh to open their day with the come-from-behind win over ACU and then got an early lead and held off UIW to improve to 3-0 in the tournament and extend their win streak to four games.
In the first game, Abilene Christian seemed to be in control most of the way, getting a run in the first and another in the third to take a 2-0 lead. That would hold until the seventh, when the Gamecocks mounted their rally and took over the game.
Nine batters went to the plate in the seventh and the first six reached and scored to turn the game around. A throwing error allowed Lauren Hunt to reach to start the frame and back-to-back singles from Keeli Bobbitt and Savannah Sudduth loaded the bases with no outs.
Maddie Clay drove in two with her single up the middle, tying the game at 2-2. After a Karsen Mosley single loaded them again, Alexus Jimmerson's bases-clearing triple put JSU on top for good. She would later score on Megan Fortner's sac fly and put the 6-2 score on the board.
Reagan Watkins (2-0) earned the win in relief for JSU, holding ACU scoreless on just one hit in four innings of work. She struck out four and walked a pair in relief of Lexi Androlevich, who tossed the first three innings, limiting the Wildcats to two runs on five hits. She also walked two and struck out four.
Samantha Bradley started the game for ACU and held JSU in check over the first six frames. She didn't get an out in the seventh before allowing two runs. Jillian Hefner (0-1) recorded the final three outs but allowed four runs on four hits in the process to take the loss.
Bobbitt, Sudduth and Jimmerson each had two hits in the win, with Jimmerson leading the way with her three RBI.
In the final game of the day, JSU struck first with two runs in the second inning to take an early lead. Sidney Wagnon drew a bases loaded walk for the first run and then an UIW error allowed another run to score in the frame.
The Gamecocks stretched the lead to 3-0 with a little small ball in the third. Mosley led off with a single, stole second and moved to third on a Jimmerson ground out. That put her in position to score on a Fortner ground out and score what would become the winning run in the game.
UIW got on the board in the fourth with a single run and then added another in the fifth to cut JSU's lead to a run, but the Gamecocks held off rally attempts in the final two innings.
Hannah Brown (2-2) earned the win for JSU, tossing the first four innings and limiting the Cardinals to a run on three hits. Macy Bearden pitched the final three innings and allowed just one run on three hits, grabbing her first save.
Natalie Myers (1-1) took the loss for UIW, giving up three runs on two hits and a walk in four innings of work. Renee Hoffman tossed two scoreless innings in relief.
JSU will wrap up the tournament with a pair of games on Sunday, starting with a 10 a.m. game vs. Northwestern State and concluding with a 2 p.m. matchup with McNeese State.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 3, HOWARD 0; SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 4, GRAMBLING STATE 1
MONTGOMERY, Ala.– Southeast Missouri (7-1) remained hot by picking up two more wins at the Alabama State Stinger Classic Saturday. The Redhawks beat Howard University, 3-0, and Grambling State, 4-1.
SEMO has won seven in a row since dropping its 2020 season-opener against Kennesaw State.
Rachel Rook and Kaylee Anderson combined on a four-hit shutout against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference member Howard in game one.
Rook, who missed SEMO's season-opening tournament in Troy, Alabama due to mononucleosis, set the tone by throwing a perfect game through her first three innings. She retired nine in a row before allowing her first hit, a single by Camille Navarro in the top of the fourth.
The Redhawks gave Rook all the run support she needed scoring twice in the third and once more in the fifth.
Austine Pauley doubled and scored with the help of a single by Claudia Gallo and a throwing error. Gallo later touched home on another Howard error to grab SEMO a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the third inning.
Ashley Ellis then belted a two-out double to score K. Anderson in the fifth.
Rook (1-0) picked up the win in her first start of the season. She struck out six, did not allow a walk and scattered only two hits. Rook retired 14 of the 16 hitters she faced.
K. Anderson picked up her first save in 2020. She struck out one and gave up two hits in two scoreless innings.
SEMO finished with nine hits, including two each from Rachel Anderson and Rachael Donald. Donald went 2-for-3 with a double and R. Anderson was 2-for-3 with a stolen base and one RBI.
Howard committed three errors in the game.
SEMO broke a 1-1 tie by scoring a run in each of its final three innings en route to its victory over Grambling State.
Madison Harris led off the fifth inning with a triple to right center and later scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Gallo.
Ellis bashed her team-high sixth home run of the season in the sixth inning and Pauley stole home in the seventh for the Redhawks other tallies.
Freshman Paytience Holman (2-1) picked up the win in relief. Holman tossed four scoreless innings with three hits. She and Alexis Estes teamed up to limit GSU to only two hits.
Pauley and Harris combined for four of SEMO's eight hits against the Tigers.
SEMO concludes play at the Stinger Classic against South Carolina State Sunday morning.