The UTM softball team packed their bats and traveled south for a doubleheader at Arkansas-Pine Bluff where they exploded for 23 runs while posting a pair of shutouts to sweep the midweek series.
The Skyhawks (9-4) tallied 26 hits on the afternoon – including six doubles, one triple and a pair of home runs to highlight the big day. Eight different players tallied multiple base hits in the doubleheader with Kaitlyn Kelley, Kaci Fuller, Skyler Davis, Anna Blanton and Kallie Pickens each registering three hits each. Kelley posted one of the biggest days, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and a home run while driving in six RBIs.
Along with the team’s prowess in the batter’s box, the Skyhawks ran wild on the basepaths as well, swiping eight stolen bases on the day. Fuller led the team with three while Shyanne Sheffield also tallied a pair.
For as explosive as the offense was, the pitching staff was equally as dominant in the circle. The Skyhawks pitched a pair of combined shutouts in 11 innings of work while limiting their opponents to a .088 batting average and just three hits.
Game 1: UTM 14, Arkansas – Pine Bluff 0 (6 innings)
UTM jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning as Fuller got the game started with a leadoff walk before swiping her first of three bases to move into scoring position. After a single by Sheffield and a double-steal by the pair, Fuller came home to score on an RBI groundout by Clark to take a 1-0 advantage.
The Skyhawks found their first extra-base hit in the top of the second as Pickens blasted a solo home run to center field for her first home run of the season and third of her career.
After scratching out another run on a sacrifice fly by Chelsey Gore in the third, UTM took a four-run lead in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI-single by Davis to score Maddi Long.
It wasn’t until the top of the sixth when the Skyhawks truly broke the game open with 10 runs on nine hits. Three consecutive singles loaded the bases before Gracie Lusk worked a walk to force in the first run setting up fellow freshman Emily Gilstrap for a RBI-single. Two more runs would cross the plate on a wild pitch and another bases loaded walk to Kenna Garst before Fuller ripped a triple down the right field line to clear the bags and take a 11-run lead. The Skyhawks would wrap up the scoring frame with RBI singles by Emily Alexander and Gracie Lusk to cap a 14-0 contest.
Alexis Groet (2-0 1.43) picked up the win in Game 1, striking out eight and allowing one hit in four innings of work while freshman Emily Brown made her collegiate debut with two scoreless innings of action.
Game 2: UTM 9, Arkansas – Pine Bluff 0 (5 innings)
It would take a little longer for the Skyhawks to get on the board in the second game of the day, waiting until the top of the third to jump on top. Two Skyhawks would reach base via a hit by pitch and a walk, setting up Kelley for a big RBI opportunity which she converted with a three-run home to center field – tallying her sixth of the season.
UTM would add to that margin in the top of the fourth with five more runs. Back-to-back RBI doubles by Pickens and Long broke the inning open while another big blast by Kelley – this time a three-run double to left field – gave the Skyhawks an 8-0 lead.
The Skyhawks put the finishing touch on their impressive day at the plate in the top of the sixth. The inning would be highlighted by a walk to Davis followed by a double to right center by Lusk to put the pair in scoring position. The game’s final run would later come home on a RBI-groundout off the bat of Blanton to make it 9-0.
Erin Gallagher (3-2, 3.86 ERA) earned the win in Game 2, striking out nine and allowing one hit in four innings. Hannah Ridolfi pitched one scoreless inning of relief.
UTM will return to Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) action this weekend with a three-game road series at Jacksonville State beginning on Friday, March 12-13. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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