Despite a slow start in game one, the Skyhawks defeated the Purple Aces of Evansville in both games of the double-header on April 3.
Evansville scored two early runs, but with two outs they were unable extend their lead as pitcher Casey Vincent struck out the Purples Aces sending UTM to the plate.
The Skyhawks wasted little time answering as first baseman Lauren Smith sent the ball sailing out of the park bringing home outfielder Mikala Torrence, tying the game at 2-2.
Despite obvious confusion between UTM head coach Donley Canary and his players, the Skyhawks wouldn’t allow a run over the next two innings. However, that same confusion left the Skyhawks scoreless over that time frame.
Evansville added two more runs in fourth to take a 4-2 lead, but the Skyhawks exploded in the last two innings scoring four runs in the fifth and six in the sixth to seal their 12-4 win in game one.
UTM carried their momentum into game two racking up four runs in the first inning compared to Evansville’s one. Much like game one, the two teams remained scoreless for many of the middle innings. Evansville scored their second run of the game in the sixth inning to trail the Skyhawks 5-2. However, UTM scored four runs in the bottom of sixth to seemingly put Evansville down for the count.
At the top of the seventh Evansville, with bases loaded, scored a homerun bringing home all three players on base. They would tack on one more run, but it wouldn’t be enough as they fell to UTM 9-7.
“Any time you can score 21 runs in two games, that speaks volumes of your team,” Canary said. “Earlier in the season we struggled with consistency and the maturity to tack on additional runs when the opportunities presented themselves. Today you were able to see our team from top to bottom, push the extra run across the plate and not get complacent. Mid-week games help you stay sharp for the conference schedule and today I think we took advantage of that opportunity as we prepare for a crucial road test this weekend.”
In game one, three players tallied two runs: outfielder Leah Taylor, Torrence and Smith. Smith also had team-high three hits. In game two, Taylor and right fielder Becca Williams led the team with two runs each. Taylor and catcher Deven Wilson led the team with two hits each.
The Skyhawks return to action Saturday April 6, when they take on Tennessee Tech in a double-header at Cookeville.
