By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team loaded the bus and traveled to Louisville for a pair of non-conference matchups against Marshall and host Bellarmine but unfortunately suffered setbacks in both contests, falling to the Thundering Herd 4-1 before a narrow 1-0 loss to the Knights.
The Skyhawk offense had a tough day as they boasted just a .143 batting average in the twinbill while graduate Kaitlyn Kelley ranked as the lone player to record multiple base knocks – tallying a pair of doubles. Meanwhile, Kennedy Brown, Annie Gutierrez, Anna Hazlewood, Kallie Pickens and Kaci Fuller also recorded base hits.
Three pitchers saw action on the day with junior Katie Dreiling spinning three shutout innings in relief with three strikeouts. Brooklynn Linneman (4-4) was hit with the loss in Game 1 while Kiersten Nixon (0-5) was held responsible for the Game 2 decision.
Game 21: Marshall 4, UT Martin 1
The Thundering Herd saved up their entire offensive output for the bottom of the third inning in the neutral site matchup. Three consecutive base hits to open the inning was capped off by a three-run blast by Autumn Owen to give the squad a three-run advantage. The hit parade continued later in the inning as two more singles – including an RBI-single by Camryn Michallas gave the team a 4-0 lead.
The Skyhawks scratched out a run for themselves in the top of the fourth inning. After a pair of outs were recorded, Kelley doubled to left center to continue the frame. With a runner in scoring position, Pickens singled to left field while Kelley came around to score on the play to give the visitors on the scoreboard their first run.
UT Martin had another big scoring opportunity in the top of the sixth as a pair of singles in the inning by Fuller and Brown ultimately loaded the bases. With the potential game-winning hitter at the plate, the Skyhawks could not find the needed hit as the squad dropped the contest by a final tally of 4-1.
Game 22: Bellarmine 1, UT Martin 0
Bellarmine jumped out to an early lead by scoring in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back. A leadoff hit by pitch proved costly for the Skyhawks as Olivia Bricker later motored around the bases to score all the way from first on a single in the left center gap by Chloe Collins to take a 1-0 advantage.
After being held hitless for the first six innings, the Skyhawks did mount a rally in the top of the seventh. Kelley broke up the no-hitter bid with her second double of the day down the right field line. The Skyhawks got a big hit from Gutierrez into right field which saw Kelley come around third and head to home, but the runner was called out at the plate to thwart the late scoring chance.
UT Martin returns to action this weekend when playing host to Tennessee State. The Skyhawks and Tigers will play a single contest on Saturday, March 25 before squaring off in a doubleheader on Sunday, March 26.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information