MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team dropped the opening game of a three-game series against Ohio Valley Conference foe Southern Indiana, falling 2-0 at Bettye Giles Field.
Both teams were locked up in a pitcher’s duel with each team’s starter tossing a no-hitter until the fifth inning. A deflected by single by Alyssa Mumaw broke up the Skyhawks no-hit bid in the top half of the inning before Maddi Long equaled her feat in the bottom half of the frame.
The game’s only offense came in the top of the sixth inning when Southern Indiana (15-13, 9-4 OVC) broke loose as Lexi Fair laced a double into right center to put the Screaming Eagles on the board. Then USI added to their advantage on the following at-bat as Sammie Kihega roped a single up the middle to put the visitors up by two runs.
While UT Martin (20-16, 6-7 OVC) found base knocks in both the sixth and seventh innings from Kaci Fuller and Long – her second hit of the day – the offense was held in check by an impressive pitching performance from Southern Indiana’s Josie Newman who tossed her fourth shutout of the season and struck out 17 batters.
While Newman was strong for the Screaming Eagles, the Skyhawks also had a pair of strong performances in the circle. Senior Brooklynn Linneman (7-4) was hit with the loss despite allowing just four hits over six innings while Ashtyn Green tossed a scoreless frame.
UT Martin will look to rally on Saturday, April 6 when the series continues with a doubleheader against Southern Indiana beginning at 1 p.m.
