Aces complete weekend with win over Furman
UE finishes weekend with three victories
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Finishing the weekend with a 7-4 win over Furman, the University of Evansville softball team wrapped up the Paladin Invitational with a 3-2 record to open the 2025 season.
Game 1 – Tennessee Tech 7, UE 4
A 2-run seventh inning saw the Purple Aces tie the Golden Eagles, but Tennessee Tech rallied with three runs in the 8th to open the day with a 7-4 win. After TTU plated a run in the top of the first, Evansville took its first lead with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning. Callie Meinel hit a 2-run triple to put UE in front.
It did not take long for Tennessee Tech to counter as they scored the tying run in the top of the second. Single runs in the fourth and seventh saw TTU hold a 4-2 advantage heading into the bottom of the 7th.
Keghan Pye reached on a 1-out walk while Miriah Powell followed with a single. Two batters later, Taylor Howe singled to left to plate pinch runner Kynadee Warner. Meinel came through in the clutch once again as her bases loaded walk tied the game to force extra innings.
Tennessee Tech wasted little time getting back on track, scoring three times in the 8th. Looking to rally once again, UE put two runners on base in the bottom of the frame, but TTU held on for the win. Pye recorded two of the Aces seven hits in the game while Meinel led the way with three RBI and two walks.
Kate Ridgway made the start, tossing seven innings with seven runs scoring, just three of which were earned. Gracie Hollingsworth recorded the final three outs.
Game 2 – UE 7, Furman 4
Coming through in the late innings once again, the Purple Aces held on for a 7-4 win over Furman to wrap up the weekend.
UE got on the board in the top of the first when two runs scored on a single from Meinel. The Paladins responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the score. Things remained tied at 2-2 until the top of the third when Niki Bode and Morgan Adams picked up RBI hits to put Evansville in front at 4-2.
Taylor Howe extended the UE lead to four when she picked up a 2-run double in the top of the 6th. Her hit proved to be a big one as the Paladins scored twice in the bottom of the inning to get back within a pair. Niki Bode plated an insurance run in the seventh before Elle Jarrett shut down the Paladins in the bottom of the frame to seal the win.
Kynadee Warner went 3-4 to lead the offense while Bode added two hits and two runs. Keghan Pye also scored twice. Gracie Hollingsworth earned the win, tossing five innings while giving up four runs. Jarrett picked up the save, tossing a scoreless final two frames. Evansville is set to host tournaments in each of the next two weekends.
-www.GoPurpleAces.com
