Improving their record to 4-3, the Skyhawk softball team took first place at the Econolodge Classic in Martin last weekend.

The Skyhawks won four out of their five games at the tournament, which was hosted at the Betty Giles Field.

Freshman Megan Mizell only allowed four hits and had five strikeouts in the first game against Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne.

The IUPU-FW Mastodons committed six errors during the game, leading to catcher/second base/outfielder Beth Buttrey scoring the only run, giving UTM the win, 1-0.

The second game of the tourney had the Skyhawks down 1-2 against East Tennessee State until the bottom of the seventh. Skyhawk first base Jennifer Young put the winning runs on the board with a two-out double, scoring Mizell, who pinch ran for catcher Sarah Daws, and third base Christa Webb.

The third game, against St. Louis University, found the Skyhawks tied with the Billikens in the fifth, when outfielder Angela Baize drove in the winning run.

Junior Allison Buckley struck out seven with three hits and two walks in seven innings.

In the fourth contest of the tournament, the Skyhawks took on Oakland University (Michigan).

The offense took this game as their time to shine, scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the seventh to rack up their fourth consecutive win during the tourney, 9-8, against the Grizzlies. One game shy of the sweep, the Skyhawks lost their final game to Indiana State, 6-2.

The Lady Sycamores jumped out to the early lead, scoring five runs in the first two innings.

Pinch running for first base Nicole Davis, Kristin Hogan scored on a bases loaded walk in the fourth and Brandy Whalen scored off an error in the sixth, but the two runs weren’t enough to cap a comeback against ISU.

The Skyhawks finished the tournament at 4-1, the best record of any team at the Econolodge Classic.

Overall, the Skyhawks had a .243 batting average in the five-game tournament and scored 17 runs.

Sophomore second base/ shortstop Emily Webb sported a .357 batting average and had five hits in 14 at bats. She had two home runs and drove in six of the Skyhawks' 17 runs. E. Webb was also voted MVP of the tournament.

Defensively, the Skyhawk pitcher had a 3.25 ERA and struck out 24 and walked nine batters. They gave up 13 earned runs over the five games.

The five opposing teams had a .252 batting average against the Skyhawks.

The Skyhawks also had the most players added to the sixteen player All-Tournament team. The six added to the roster were Emily Webb, Beth Buttrey, Jennifer Young, Brandy Whalen, Allison Buckley, and outfielder/shortstop Kristin Runyan.

The Skyhawks return to play this weekend at the Frost Classic Tournament at the University of Chattanooga.

Opponents include UTC, Marshall University, Wisconsin University at Green Bay, North Texas State and Buffalo University.

“This will be an extremely tough tournament this weekend.,” said Skyhawks head coach Donnely Canary. “This will help the young kids grow up.”