CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team outmatched tournament host and in-state foe Chattanooga on Sunday afternoon, posting a 2-0 shutout victory to close out the team’s appearance at the Frost Classic.
The Skyhawks (7-7) evened up their season record and wrapped up their tournament stay with a 3-2 record in the five game slate. UT Martin tallied seven hits on the day and scored runs in the second and sixth innings while blanking Chattanooga defensively.
Senior Katie Dreiling earned her second win of the season after holding the Mocs scoreless over 6.1 innings while striking out eight batter. Looking to complete the shutout, Dreiling turned the ball over to Brooklynn Linenman who finished out the contest and secured the two-run victory with a save.
Offensively, Dreiling was also strong where she was one of three Skyhawks to tally a pair of base knocks on the day – going 2-for-4 at the plate. Fellow senior Kaci Fuller also had a two-hit day along with an RBI while Alli Robinson went 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles. Kennedy Brown also drove in a run.
UT Martin jumped on the board in the second inning after Robinson led off the frame with a double to center field. After being moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt by her twin sister, Brown drove in the game’s first run with a single.
The Skyhawks added another run for a little extra protection in the top of the sixth inning. Robinson recorded her second double of the contest to lead off the frame before later coming home on a single up the middle by Fuller to give UT Martin a 2-0 lead.
Dreiling kept the Mocs in check through the first six innings but allowed a few baserunners in the bottom of the seventh via a hit by pitch and a single. The Skyhawks quickly went to the bullpen and brought in Linneman who shut the door on any type of rally attempt with a strikeout and an out at the plate to end the game with the shutout intact.
UT Martin returns home this week when playing host to Middle Tennessee on Wednesday, Feb. 28 – weather permitting. Follow along at www.UTMSports.com for all of the latest schedule changes and recaps.
