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Softball picks up single win over APSU in shortened doubleheader


Fallon Lowery’s two-out double in the bottom of the ninth inning drove in Savannah Roberts to give the Skyhawk softball team a dramatic 3-2 win over visiting Austin Peay on Thursday in the opening game of a doubleheader.

Starting pitcher Ashley Myatt went eight innings for the Skyhawks, recording seven strikeouts while only allowing five hits. The win improved her record to 6-2 on the season.

The game got off to a shaky start for Myatt as she allowed a home run to the game’s first batter. After the leadoff blast, she settled down to retire the next three hitters in order.

The Skyhawks pulled even on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning when Brittany Nash scored on a bunt by Emily Webb. Nash had led off the inning with a double and advanced to third base on a sacrifice by Justine Pineda.

The Lady Govs were unable to muster a hit after the first inning until Taylor Newberry singled to start the sixth inning. An error eventually allowed Newberry to reach third base before Myatt retired the next two hitters to end the inning and preserve the tie.

The Skyhawks came up big at the plate in the bottom of the sixth to tally what appeared to be a game-winning run.

Nash hit a one-out triple to represent the go-ahead run. She then scored on Pineda’s second successful bunt of the game. This time, however, Pineda reached base as well.

After retiring the first two hitters she faced in the top of the seventh inning, Myatt appeared to be on the verge of picking up a complete-game victory. Two singles followed a walk and another single to account for the game-tying run as the Lady Govs pulled even at 2-2 with their backs against the wall.

Kara Harper relieved Myatt and allowed the tying run to score. Myatt was credited with both earned runs in the game.

When the Lady Govs threatened to take the lead with the bases loaded in the eighth inning, Myatt reentered and got outfielder Megan Brooks to pop out to second base to end the threat.

The Skyhawks put the potential game-winning run on third in the bottom of the inning but were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Roberts reached base with a one-out single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Skyhawks the chance for the walk-off victory.

After Brandy Whalen popped out for the second out of the inning, the pressure fell on the shoulders of Lowery, the junior second baseman from Ringgold, Ga. Lowery came up big in the clutch for the Skyhawks, slapping a double to centerfield to score Roberts and send the home team to victory.

The second half of the doubleheader was suspended in the fifth inning due to darkness with the Skyhawks holding a 4-1 lead. They got off to a quick start by scoring two runs in the first inning. Skyhawk starter Ashton Strode had four strikeouts and had allowed only two hits when play was suspended.

Lauren Manna and Stacey Weaver came through with consecutive doubles in the fifth inning to help put two more runs on the scoreboard for the Skyhawks.

The game will be completed April 20 when the two teams meet in Clarksville.