Feb. 14, 2009
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Jessica Cross hit a pair of three-run home runs, including a game-tying blast in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it wasn't enough for the Owls as Tennessee Tech defeated Kennesaw State, 7-6, in eight innings at the 1st Annual Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament at Bailey Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Owls (3-4) dropped their third game in a row as the Black and Gold finished pool play with a 0-3 record. Tennessee Tech (4-4) finished with a 1-2 mark.
The dramatic contest took wild swings in the seventh inning as both teams exchanged three-run home runs. After coming back from a 3-1 deficit with solo runs in the fourth and fifth innings, Tennessee Tech took a, 6-3, lead when Holly Thomas hit a three run blast to left field off Cross.
Kennesaw State, however, rallied back in the bottom of the inning when Jessica Symanski (2-for-4) led off with a single up the middle and Klair Wells (2-for-4) singled to right field one out later, putting runners on second and third.
After Hollie Huffman struck out, Cross delivered her second, three-run shot of the game, an opposite field blast that tied the contest. The sophomore hit her first home run of the season in the third inning when she launched a majestic, three-run homer to straight away center field.
Playing with the international tie-breaker, the Golden Eagles scored in the top of the eighth inning when Lacie Coquerille delivered an RBI-single to right field, after a sacrifice bunt, giving TTU a one-run lead.
The Black and Gold couldn't muster a run in their half of the eighth inning. With Erica Joseph on second base, Wells popped up a sacrifice attempt for the first out. After a walk to Amanda Burns, Tennessee Tech's Maddie Schmissrauter struck out Corri Connally and Symanski to end the game.
Tech's Scmissrauter struck out 13 batters and walked four in the complete game win while Cross (2-2) suffered the loss, allowing five earned runs and 11 hits in eight innings.
The Owls and the Golden Eagles will meet up in the Third Place game of the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament at 3:30 p.m., before Wright State plays SIU-Edwardsville in the Championship Game.
