SOFTBALL TEAMS HITS ROAD FOR OVC OPENER AT SIU EDWARDSVILLE
Game Notes Live Stats Live Audio Live Video (Saturday) Live Video (Sunday)
The University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks softball team heads to Cougar Field for its first Ohio Valley Conference road test of the 2013 season when it clashes with the SIU Edwardsville Cougars this weekend. The Skyhawks and Cougars will open the three-game series with the first game of a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday with the second game immediately following. Game three with be played at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Skyhawks (15-7, 0-0 OVC) are coming off their most successful week of the season, posting a 8-1 record with wins over Sacred Heart (1-0), Holy Cross (5-0), Saint Francis (2-0), Detroit Mercy (11-2), Penn (1-0, 5-2) and Niagara (6-1) in the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. before shutting out SEC foe Ole Miss in the home opener on Wednesday, 1-0.
“Anytime you can defeat a team like Ole Miss, you have to proud of your effort. I thought the pitching was great and we’re just trying to find consistency in the box. We know it’s a long season and we’re still trying to find our identity as a team.”
Sophomores Casey Vincent and Kenzi Tate provided dominating performances in the circle, posting spotless records and a combined five shutouts in the past nine games. Vincent has used pin-point control with four wins and stifling 0.27 ERA, surrendering 14 hits in 26.1 innings. She struck out 18 while issuing just six free pass. Tate has been equally dominant posting a 3-0 record and a save with a 0.30 ERA and 22 strikeouts, allowing just one run and six walks in 23.2 innings pitched.
When not in the circle, Tate tallied four home runs with 10 RBIs, including going a perfect 4-for-4 with two home runs against Detroit Mercy and driving in the winning run against Ole Miss over the stretch of the last nine games. Freshman Jessie Britt closed out the last five games of the Rebel Spring Games hitting .545 with two doubles and two stolen bases, moving herself up the depth chart. UT Martin record holder Leah Taylor, has 21 bases and crushed two home run while hitting a solid .339 at the plate.
Each game of this series will be featured live, free of charge on the OVC Digital Network at the links above. Fans can also follow along with live stats and audio all weekend long at the link above.