By: Alex Boggis, UT Martin Sports Information Assistant
MARTIN, Tenn. – Despite weather playing havoc on the 2013 Fall Softball Classic, the University of Tennessee at Martin softball team picked up three wins over in-state foe Bethel on Saturday afternoon at Bettye Giles Field.
With the Skyhawks annual fall tournament cancelled with heavy rain sweeping the Martin area Friday afternoon, sunny skies prevailed on Saturday as UT Martin played host to Bethel in a fall tripleheader.
In Game 1, the Skyhawks pulled out all the stops, defeating the Wildcats 12-2. Junior Kenzi Tate got the start in the circle for the Skyhawks, pitching four innings and tallying seven strikeouts. Freshman Brooke Kennedy appeared in relief, allowing one run over three innings of work, striking out four. In the batter’s box, six Skyhawks tallied multi-hit games including Kayla Wade, Lauren Smith, Casey Vincent, Deven Wilson, Gabby Glenn and Samantha McClure.
UT Martin picked up the 6-1 win in Game 2 behind the arm of Vincent. Vincent tossed four innings of shutout ball while striking out three. Autumn Glenn appeared in three innings of relief, striking out two while allowing one earned run. Vincent also made her mark in the box, cranking a home run.
The Skyhawks capped off the day with an 8-6 victory over Bethel in Game 3. Elizabeth Wiegand got the start in the circle, tossing four innings while striking out four. Tayler Jerrick appeared in relief, tallying one strikeout in three innings of work. UT Martin exploded on the bases, swiping five steals in game. Six Skyhawks tallied multi-hit games as Carly Gonzales, Wade, Renate Meckl, Smith, Taylor Manning and Lindsey Feigl each tallied two hits or more. McClure tallied one home run in the finale.
“This time of year is exciting when you begin to see what kind of team you have,” said UT Martin head softball coach Donley Canary. “We use the fall schedule see how the returners have progress while getting a feel of our newcomers. In practice you can only simulate so much, so it’s a positive to get out and play against another opponent.”
The Skyhawks will return to action tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 26 at 3:15 p.m. when they play host to Three River Community College at Bettye Giles Field.
