SOFTBALL SETS NEW SCHOOL RECORD FOR WINS IN A SEASON
WITH DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP OVER CHRISTIAN BROTHERS

        RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech Softball continued to make history here Sunday as it set new record for single-season victories with its doubleheader sweep over Christian Brothers in Gulf South Conference action at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex.

With the two wins, Tech improved its record to 29-9 overall and 11-3 in the GSC West Division. The 29 wins sets new single-season record for victories for the Golden Suns, which betters the mark of 27 set during the 2005 season.

Tech opened the doubleheader with a 4-2 win (Box Score) and then collected an 11-3 win (Box Score) in the second game that was halted in the sixth inning due to the 8-run mercy rule.

In the opener, Tech jumped in front 2-0 in the first inning as junior rightfielder Sarah Pratt (Garland, Texas) led off with a single, advanced to second on an error, then stole third and come home on a throwing error by CBU catcher Michelle Paul and Tech added its second run in the inning on an RBI double by senior shortstop Molly Schweigert (Salem, Ore.). 

Tech’s lead grew to 3-0 in the second inning on a lead-off solo homer by freshman designated player Quinn Culver (Fort Smith, Ark.) over the left field fence. The homer was Culver’s third of the season and Tech’s 10th of the season.

In the third inning, the Golden Suns pushed out to a 4-0 lead on a run scoring single by sophomore catcher Roxie Palacios (Crosby, Texas), which plated senior leftfielder Terra Brenner (Belleville, Ark.), who had led off the inning with a walk.

The Lady Bucs (14-18 on the season, 1-13 GSC) broke up senior Dana Aldrich’s (Palm Harbor, Fla.) bid for her fourth shutout of the season as CBU plated two runs to pull within 4-2. In the inning, Casey King drove in CBU’s first run on a triple to left center and then Paige Wright drove in the second run on her fielder’s choice bunt right in front of home plate.

Aldrich (15-5) earned the win as she tossed a complete game five hitter. She allowed two runs, while striking out seven and walking none. CBU’s Nikki Dunn (9-8 on the season) was the loser as she tossed six innings and allowed seven hits and four runs, while walking four and striking out five.  

Schweigert led Tech’s seven-hit attack with two hits in her two at-bats. The two hits extended Schweigert’s hitting streak to nine straight games.

In the second game of the twinbill, Tech jumped in front 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning thanks to three hits and an error by the Lady Bucs.

CBU, though, came back in the third inning as it collected five hits and scored three runs to push in front 3-2 off of sophomore Casey Hammons (Carthage, Texas).

Tech tied the game in the bottom of the third on a run scoring single by junior centerfielder Krista Cifuentes (Clinton, Ark.). Cifuentes single scored Brenner, who had reached on a two-out walk issued by CBU hurler Kallie McFatter.

The Golden Suns retook the lead in the fourth inning as it sent eight hitters to the plate and scored four runs off of four hits and CBU error. In the inning, freshman second baseman Shanda Jimeson (Mansfield, Texas) drove in a run on her single to left field, while Brenner drove in the second run on an RBI single to right field and two runs scored when Culver reached on a fielding error by CBU first baseman Sammy Maness.

Tech’s lead grew to 10-3 in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Palacios and a fielding error by Wright, which allowed two runs to score and the Golden Suns ended the game in the sixth on Pratt’s run scoring single to right field, which allowed Aldrich to score. Aldrich had reached on a one-out walk issued by McFatter.

Aldrich, who earned the win as she pitched the final three innings in relief of Hammons, allowed just one hit in her relief outing. In addition, she walked one and struck out two to improve to 16-5 on the season. Hammons pitched three innings and allowed seven hits and three runs, while striking out three and walking none.

Schweigert and Pratt led Tech’s 13-hit attack with three hits apiece, while Moon and Cifuentres each had two hits in the win. Brenner scored three runs and Moon added two runs.

McFatter (5-10) took the loss as she pitched 5.2 innings and allowed 13 hits and 11 runs, in which, six of those runs were earned. She also walked six and struck out two.

For the game, CBU committed four errors, while Tech had no errors, but left 10 runners on base and stole three bases.

Wright led CBU with two hits and an RBI in the second game.  

The two teams will face each other on Monday in Memphis, Tenn., for a 2 p.m. doubleheader. Following Monday’s game at CBU, Tech will play six games in four days beginning on Thursday, April 10 at the GSC Crossover Tournament in Decatur, Ala.  

                                                            -- Tech Athletics --