College Softball News

Skyhawk Softball continues to impress

By: Alex Boggis, UT Martin Sports Information Assistant

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team continues to impress throughout its fall schedule, winning three games over the past week. The Skyhawks have remained nearly perfect with victories over Bethel, Three Rivers, Wallace State and Martin Methodist.

UT Martin played host to Three Rivers Community College on Thursday, Sept. 26 with an afternoon twinbill. The Skyhawks split the contests with an 8-3 loss in Game 1 before outmatching their opponent in Game 2, posting an 8-1 win.

In Game 1, the Skyhawks were led by Lauren Smith and Deven Wilson who each tallied two hits apiece. Kayla Wade, Bella Zizzi, Kenzi Tate, Casey Vincent and Gabby Glenn each registered one hit. Tate paced the Skyhawks with two RBIs while Wade rounded out the offensive attack with an RBI.

Vincent got the start for the Skyhawks, pitching three innings, allowing one earned run. Autumn Glenn appeared in relief, tossing two innings, allowing one unearned run. Brooke Kennedy relieved Glenn, striking out three while allowing six runs.

In Game 2, the Skyhawks were led by Carly Gonzales and Juli Layne who each tallied two hits apiece. Tate, Kennedy, Wilson, Jessie Britt, Stephanie Nidiffer, Tayler Jerrick, A. Glenn and G. Glenn each registered one hit. Tate had two RBIs while Gonzales, Layne, Kennedy, Jerrick, A. Glenn and G. Glenn each drove in one run.

Jerrick got the starting nod for the Skyhawks, pitching a complete game while striking out 10. Jerrick’s one run was unearned.

UT Martin made the 150-mile trek to Columbia State on Saturday, Sept. 28 to play defending NJCAA Division I national champion Wallace State and Martin Methodist. The Skyhawks would knock off Wallace State 6-2 before dismantling Martin Methodist 5-0.

Against Wallace State it was Gonzales and Nidiffer who led the way, tallying two hits each. Wade, Vincent, Britt, McClure and Wilson each knocked one base hit. Nidiffer paced the Skyhawks with two RBI while Gonzales, Vincent and Britt accounted for the other RBIs.

Tate garnered the start for the Skyhawks, pitching four innings of shutout ball, striking out three. Vincent appeared in relief, striking out three while allowing one earned run in three innings of work.

In the finale against Martin Methodist, Tate proved why she was named to last year’s Ohio Valley Conference All-OVC first team, leading the Skyhawks with three hits and two RBIs, including a two-run home run. Layne tallied two hits while Kennedy, Renate Meckl and A. Glenn each recorded one hit. Smith and Taylor Manning tallied one RBI each.

Elizabeth Wiegand got the start for the Skyhawks in the circle, pitching four shutout innings and striking out two. Jerrick appeared in scoreless relief, striking out two in three innings.

“Overall I was happy with how we performed over the week,” said UT Martin head coach Donley Canary. “We were able to get several timely hits and you can see that we’re starting to get comfortable. I’m very pleased that we’re getting better.”

The Skyhawks will wrap up their fall schedule with a quick trip to Union University on Thursday, Oct. 3. Action from Fesmire Field is slated to get underway at 5 p.m.

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