Aces top TSU and ETSU
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two more games brought in two more triumphs for the University of Evansville softball team as the Purple Aces picked up a 9-3 win over Tennessee State and a 3-0 victory over East Tennessee State in the opening night of the Tiger Classic on Friday evening.
UE’s first game did not begin until 7 p.m. CT and the second ended just after midnight. It will be another late night of action on Saturday as the Aces take on Louisiana-Monroe in a 6 p.m. game before squaring off against Butler at 8:15.
Michal Luckett opened the first game with a perfect 3-for-3 performance as the Aces earned a 9-3 win over Tennessee State. Luckett opened up the scoring in the top of the first, hitting a leadoff home run to center. The Tigers came right back with a pair of runs to take their first lead in the bottom half of the first.
After a scoreless second inning, the Aces offense had its biggest frame of the season as seven runs crossed the plate. Danielle Freeman got the scoring started with an RBI single to left. Chandra Parr then came to the plate with two runners on and doubled to right center to plate two more runs.
Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Bailee Bostic hit a bases-clearing double to left to score three more runs. McKenzie Johnson wrapped up the scoring as she was hit by a pitch to bring in the seventh run of the inning. One more run was added in the sixth for the Aces as Kristen Koepke hit a sacrifice fly to make it the final of 9-3.
Amanda Blankenship made the start, going 2 1/3 innings, giving up three runs, just one earned. Emily Lockhart was credited with the win and improves to 3-1. She went 4 2/3 and gave up just two hits and two walks.
Game two turned into a defensive battle with the Aces being the first on the board in the top of the third. Luckett led the frame off with a walk before advancing to second on a passed ball. With two outs, Lukcett was brought home on a Parr double to give UE a 1-0 lead.
East Tennessee State had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the fourth, but freshman pitcher Morgan Florey got the Aces out of the jam. Florey came on to pitch with two batters on and nobody out. She forced a fly out to get the first out of the inning. After issuing a walk, Florey recorded back-to-back punch outs to keep UE on top.
Florey’s offense added some insurance in the top of the fifth as Luckett continued her hot hitting. Olivia Cheatham reached base on an error and Ashlee Kawall was brought in to pinch run. The move by the Aces paid off as the Luckett doubled down the line, allowing Kawall to score. The final run of the night saw Luckett score in the seventh on a Morgan Lambert single.
Blankenship made the start, going the first three innings before Florey went the final four. Florey struck out nine batters and improved to 2-0 on the season.
