Softball wins NFCA Leadoff Classic title

For the second straight weekend, the No. 24 Tech softball team won a non-conference tournament. In five games at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga., The Jackets (15-2) won four games defeating the No. 16 ranked Baylor Bears (10-7), DePaul Blue Demons (8-3), University of Massachusetts Minutemen (3-0) and the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (4-2). The Jackets lost just their second game of the season to the No. 19 Florida Gators (5-1).

After coming back from a 2-1 deficit in the seventh inning to beat Tennessee Tech on Sunday, the Jackets split the NFCA Leadoff Classic title with the Michigan Wolverines who defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 1-0 the same day. Tech and Michigan shared the tournament championship because they did not face one another due to time constraints.

For her efforts over the weekend, Tech outfielder Caitlin Lever was named Co-ACC Player of the Week. In seven games last week, the senior went 12-for-24 at the plate with two home runs, one double and eight RBIs while walking once.

Fri: GT-10, Baylor-7

Tech defeated the No. 16 Bears in a slugfest that started off as a pitching duel. After two innings, Baylor led 1-0 on a RBI single by catcher Chelsi Lake. The Jackets responded in the third with a three spot that came on an RBI single from right fielder Caitlin Lever. This would be the start of what would be a great performance for her, and a two RBI double by catcher Savannah Brown. The score stood at 3-1 in Tech's favor until Baylor tied the game in the fifth on a bunt single down the third base line by left fielder Tiffany Wesley and a sacrifice fly by first baseman Ashley Monceaux.

The game broke out in a big way when the Jackets put up seven in the sixth inning on the strength of a three run home run by Caitlin Lever and several RBI singles on the way to capitalizing on six hits and two errors to give Tech a 10-3 lead. Baylor did rally in the seventh to close the score to 10-7, but it would not be enough as pitcher Lacey Richardson came in to slam the door shut and record the final out with a pop out to the shortstop.

Fri: GT-8, Depaul-3

The Jackets took the lead early against the Blue Demons by putting up four runs in the first two innings, giving starter Sarah Wood a 4-2 lead to work with. Unfortunately for her, she was unable to get through the third inning even though she only gave up one earned run in her nearly three innings of work. Reliever Tiffany Johnson came in the third inning and stopped the bleeding for Tech, allowing no more DePaul batters to cross the plate. In fact, she went to pitch the remaining four innings and only gave up one hit. The game was sealed up for good in the fifth inning when the Jackets plated three runs to make the score 7-3 with the help of a Brittany Barnes three -run home run. Tech would score one more in the sixth to make the final score 8-3.

Sat: GT-3, UMASS-0

After going 2-for-2 on Friday, Tech started out their Saturday with a game against the No. 24 ranked Minutemen. In the 3-0 shutout victory, Tiffany Johnson tossed a two-hit complete game shutout from the circle, giving her a total of 12 innings of work with just three hits allowed for the season. All of Tech's three runs came in the top of the first when catcher Savannah Brown hit a double to left center field to clear the bases.

Sat: UF-5, GT-1

The Jackets only loss of the weekend came against the Gators last Saturday afternoon. The game started out well for the Jackets when they struck first in the first inning with another RBI by Caitlin Lever on a single.

However, Florida starter Stacey Nelson settled down and would only give up five more hits over the next six innings to throw a complete game while the Gators put up four runs in the next three innings to give Florida all the runs they needed to beat the Jackets.

Sun: GT-4, Tenn. Tech-2

Tech went 3-1 in Friday and Saturday's action, which was good enough to put them into the gold bracket on the final day and in contention for the tournament championship. The Jackets beat the Golden Eagles 4-2, but there was nothing easy about it. Starter Tiffany Johnson threw another complete game, but allowed three runs in the third inning to surrender her first runs in over 14 innings of work.

The Jackets had to use a three- run rally in the top of the seventh to put themselves ahead for good. Third baseman Brittany Barnes led off the inning with a solo bomb to left field that tied the game, while the game-winning run came across on an error by shortstop Beth Boden that allowed Stephanie Butler to score from third. Whitney Haller singled to the left side to pick an insurance run.

The Jackets advanced to the championship game where they would have played against the Michigan Wolverines, but time constraints prevented the two teams from meeting each other. Both teams split the tournament title.

Tues: GT-14, Oakland-6

The Jackets followed up their NFCA tournament championship with a victory against the Oakland Grizzlies at Glenn Field. In that game, Tech scored nine runs in the first two innings to win 14-6 in six innings this past Tuesday. While Tech played well overall, they did allow four errors. After winning five of six in Columbus, and winning against Gardner-Webb this past Tuesday, the Jackets extended their record to 13-2 for the season. Tech also jumps into the top 25, landing as the No. 21 team in the country.

The Jackets picked up another key performance from third baseman Brittany Barnes. In the first inning, she hit a three-run home run and continued the day by finishing 2-for-3 at the plate with two more RBIs to make five for the day. Right fielder Caitlin Lever continued her hot streak by going a perfect 4-for-4, while scoring four times and driving in one.

Wed: GT-8, UT-Chatt-0

Tech shut down Chattanooga on Wednesday at home, 8-0.

Whitney Humprehys tossed her second complete game of the season, both shutout wins. For the game, the Lady Mocs only collected three hits while striking out three times.

Leading the game by eight runs going into the sixth inning, the game ended after the mercy rule was invoked.

Whitny Hallar had two hits in the game and 4 RBIs. She hit a home run in the first inning, bringing in thee runs.

Hull and Simandle hit two runs each to add to Tech's offensive output. Tech finished with eight hits and no errors.

Wed: GT- 6, UT-Chatt-5

The Jackets came back from a five-run deficit to defeat the Lady Mocs 6-5 and win their fourth straight game.

Tech fell behind to Chattanooga in the second game of their series after Tara Tembley and Brittany Eason hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning.

After the Lady Mocs scored three more runs, Tech fell behind 5-0 just 3 ½ innings into the game.

Barnes began Tech's comeback with a two-run home run in the very same inning, cutting Chattanooga's lead to three. Tech capped off the rally in the bottom of the seventh inning by bringing in four runs.