ETSU’s rally not enough against Highlanders

STATESBORO, Ga. (Feb. 11, 2022) – The Belinda Hendrix era began on Friday afternoon in Statesboro, Ga. as ETSU Softball squared off against Radford in the season opener. However, the Bucs will have to wait another day for the first win in the new era after dropping a 9-5 decision to the Highlanders in the Bash in the Boro Tournament hosted by Georgia Southern.

ETSU had the first opportunity to crack the scoreboard in the top half of the second inning when Alana Collins (Greeneville, Tenn.) roped a single to right field with Andrea Sarhatt (Knoxville, Tenn.) on second. Sarhatt rounded third and attempted to advance home for the first run of the season, but was hosed at the plate by a throw from Radford’s Hannah Poole.

The Highlanders used the momentum, and two Buccaneer errors, to crack the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning with two runs on just one hit.

After back-to-back walks and a wild pitch, the Bucs were back in business in the top of the third inning. This time, Kelly Warren (Mechanicsville, Va.) made it count with an RBI single to center field, bringing home Ally Chernak (Ooltewah, Tenn.). Two batters later, Catawba College transfer Riley Tucker (Mount Pleasant, N.C.) evened the score at two apiece with an RBI groundout. The Bucs were not done as Montreat transfer Sara Muir (Sequatchie, Tenn.) plated her first run of the season with an RBI single to left field, providing the Bucs with the 3-2 advantage.

The lead was short lived as the Highlanders plated five runs on four hits in the bottom of the third inning. Poole busted the game wide open with a two-out grand slam to give Radford the 7-3 lead through three complete innings.

Radford maintained its lead for the remainder of the contest, extending the advantage to 9-4. However, the Bucs did threaten to ruin Radford’s first win of the season with bases loaded and two outs in the top of the seventh. After Collins was hit by a bases-loaded pitch to pull ETSU within four, there was one final hope for the Blue & Gold. However, a harmless ground out to shortstop halted any hopes of the Buccaneer rally, settling for the 9-5 defeat.

Pitchers of Record
» Win: Jessie Marvin (1-0)
» Loss: Allison Farr (0-1)

Stat of the Game
The stat line was full in this contest as the two teams combined for 14 runs, 21 hits and six errors. ETSU also drew seven walks, the most since drawing seven against Akron on March 14, 2021.

Notables
» Seven different Bucs registered at least one hit in today’s game, led by Warren with two hits and one RBI.
» Three different Buccaneers recorded their first collegiate hits: Carolina Davis (Englewood, Tenn.), Bailey Turnbow (Cookeville, Tenn.) and Cameron Young (Knoxville, Tenn.).
» Allison Farr (Knoxville, Tenn.) started in the circle for the Bucs, surrendering five earned runs in 2.2 innings of work.
» Catawba College transfer Whitley Arnott (China Grove, N.C.) saw her first bit of action in the circle, throwing 2.1 inning of work and allowing just two hits and zero runs.
» Cleveland State transfer Amber Atkins (South Pittsburg, Tenn.) saw three plate appearances and drew three of ETSU’s seven walk.
» Neither team struck the ball well with runners in scoring position as Radford finished 4-of-14 and ETSU recorded a 3-of-15 mark.
» ETSU falls to 14-21 all-time against the Highlanders.

Record Update
» ETSU: 0-1
» Radford: 1-1

Up Next
The Bucs will return to action in day two of the Bash in the Boro at 10 a.m. when they square off against Radford. ETSU will then take on Binghamton at 5:30 p.m. to close out the second day in Statesboro, Ga.

For more information on Buccaneer softball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the softball link.