Senior outfielder (OF) Aalia Bivens was named the Ohio Valley Conference’s (OVC) softball Player of the Week for her strong showings against the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay (Feb. 20) and in the Huddle House Classic (Feb. 22-23).
Bivens, a Martin-native, gives the Skyhawks their first Player of the Week accolade since the 2017 season, according to Sports Information. During that year, Bivens was a freshman playing for the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles before transferring to UTM for her sophomore season.
Over the course of six home games spanning from Feb. 20 to Feb. 23, the Skyhawks went 5-1 en route to winning the Huddle House Classic against Purdue – Fort Wayne (PFW) and Wright State University (WSU). Bivens was crucial in two wins over Green Bay and instrumental in games one and three of the Classic.
Bivens recorded seven hits on her way to recording a .412 batting average. In addition, the senior added three runs, two home runs and 10 RBI’s, with her most impressive performances coming against Green Bay.
In game one against the Phoenixes, Bivens recorded her first statistics of the weekend with a three-BRI home run that extended the Skyhawks’ lead to 6-1, ultimately ending in a dominating 11-2 victory for UTM. Bivens added onto to her RBI total with a grand slam in game two, sealing UTM’s 8-5 win and sweep of Green Bay.
The Skyhawks followed their Thursday double-header with a four-game home swing against PFW and WSU, with UTM only dropping one game during the week.
In game one of the classic against PFW, Bivens got the team on the scoresheet early with an RBI single in the first inning. Bivens’ sole contribution proved crucial, as the Skyhawks barely edged out PFW in game one to the tune of 2-1.
After sitting out for game two, Bivens returned for the team’s rematch against WSU in game three the next day following a 3-0 game two win for the Skyhawks.
The third game of the Classic was full of offensive firepower, as WSU reeled off nine runs in the third inning. Bivens scored off a wild pitch in the first, but also played a role in UTM’s massive in the fifth inning with an RBI single. However, the Skyhawks fell short in extra innings, dropping their WSU rematch 11-14.
With their four-game winning streak snapped by the Raiders, the Skyhawks took down PFW by a 5-2 margin. Bivens recorded a hit in UTM’s final win.
The Skyhawks will return to action on Feb. 25 when they take on sister school and power-five opponent Tennessee in Knoxville.
Photo Credit / Sports Information
