MARTIN, Tenn. – In an attempt to beat potential weather moving into the area this week, Wednesday’s previously scheduled softball matchup between the University of Tennessee at Martin and Middle Tennessee has been bumped up a day to Tuesday, Feb. 27 with first pitch slated for 4 p.m.
The Skyhawks (7-7) had a strong week by going 5-2 between a doubleheader against Brescia and a winning record at the Frost Classic in Chattanooga. They started out the week with a pair of five-inning shutouts against Brescia – including a combined no-hitter – while scoring 22 runs in just 10 innings. Then in the Frost Classic, the Skyhawks knocked off Valpo (11-2), Georgetown (6-4) and Chattanooga (2-0) while falling to Ohio (3-1) and Texas A&M – Corpus Christi (7-2).
So far this season, UT Martin is boasting a .316 batting average with 20 doubles, five triples and four home runs. The squad has also used its speed in bunches, as the Skyhawks are 17-for-17 on stolen base opportunities. Newcomer Alli Robinson leads the Skyhawks with a .429 batting average while tallying four doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. Meanwhile the senior pair of Kaci Fuller (.419 average, seven extra base hits and 10 RBIs) and Katie Dreiling (.405 average, four doubles, one home run and 13 RBIs) are also off to hot starts this season.
On the pitching side, the starting trio of Brooklynn Linneman (4-1, 2.03 ERA), Dreiling (2-2, 2.39 ERA) and Kiersten Nixon (0-2, 2.80 ERA) have combined for a 2.37 ERA this season. Nixon is expected to get the start on Tuesday and is looking for her first win of the season after three appearances.
Middle Tennessee (4-11) is coming off a strong weekend after starting the young season off with 10 losses. Since then, the Blue Raiders closed out The Spring Games by winning four of their last five games. MTSU boasts six batters with season batting averages over .300, including a team-best .379 average by Shelby Echols while adding a double, a triple and 10 RBIs. In the pitching circle, Kamryn Carcich paces the team with a 3-7 record and 2.80 ERA in 45.0 innings of work.
The two programs have met 46 times previously with Middle Tennessee holding a 30-15-1 advantage in the all-time series. The Blue Raiders have won the last two meetings while the Skyhawks are looking for their first win in the series since the 2018 season.
