COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Senior outfielder Kaci Fuller earned a share of history on Saturday afternoon with four base knocks to tie the program’s all-time hit record as the University of Tennessee at Martin softball team split the opening day of the three-game series against Ohio Valley Conference rival Tennessee Tech.
The Skyhawks improved to 22-18 on the season and 8-9 in OVC play after splitting the first two games of the weekend series. UT Martin tallied a seventh inning run to pick up a 3-2 win in the series opener before a comeback came up short in the second half of the twinbill as the score was reversed with Tennessee Tech sneaking out a 3-2 victory.
A big day from Fuller saw the power slapper tally four hits and move her career total up to 237 base hits to tie the program’s all-time record. The three-time all-conference performer surpassed UT Martin Hall of Famer Megan Williams (2007-10) and her career mark of 235 hits while tying the all-time leader Jenny Bain (2009-12) with 237 base knocks.
As a whole, the Skyhawks tallied 15 base knocks in the doubleheader while scoring five runs. Senior Anna Blanton had a big day at the plate after going 3-for-3 in the series opener while driving in a run. Meanwhile, fellow seniors Avry Blume and Maddi Long also tallied multiple base hits.
The pitching staff saw senior Kiersten Nixon pick up her fifth win of the season after tossing three scoreless innings. Sophomore Ashtyn Green was hit with the loss after allowing two earned runs in 4.2 frame in the second contest.
Game 39: UT Martin 3, Tennessee Tech 2
Both teams were held off the scoreboard until the top of the fourth inning when UT Martin put two runs in the score column. Back-to-back singles by Alli Robinson and Katie Dreiling kick-started the frame before a pair of singles by Long and Blanton scored their teammates and gave the Skyhawks a 2-0 advantage.
Tennessee Tech fought back and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jordan Key put the Golden Eagles on the scoreboard before Fitzgerald singled to left to tie the contest up.
The score remained tied until the top of the seventh inning when Blanton led off the frame with a single through the left side before moving into scoring position with a stolen base. With a scoring opportunity in hand, Fuller tallied a go-ahead single in the top of the seventh to serve as the eventual game-winner.
Game 40: Tennessee Tech 3, UT Martin 2
A big third inning proved to be the difference in the game for Tennessee Tech in the second half of the doubleheader. A leadoff error proved costly for the Skyhawks before the Golden Eagles scored three runs. The home squad found RBIs from Abby Buettner and Sofia Carroll before a wild pitch capped off a big frame.
The Skyhawks mounted a comeback in the top of the fifth inning to cut into the deficit. Fuller drove in the team’s first run of the game on a fielder’s choice before a fielding error off the bat of Kennedy Brown drove in the speedster to make it a 3-2 contest. Unfortunately, the team could not complete their comeback attempt down the stretch.
UT Martin and Tennessee Tech will decide the series on Sunday afternoon with action from the Tech Softball Field beginning at noon.
