Williams’ power produces sweep

Posted: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 12:00 pm

Not only did junior Becca Williams extend her hitting streak to four games, but she was credited with the game-winning RBI as UT Martin softball team battled from behind to beat visiting SIU Edwardsville 4-3 Sunday afternoon at Bettye Giles Field.
UTM opened the 2012 OVC season with a pair of victories over SIU-E Saturday afternoon at Bettye Giles Field, 9-3 and 7-6.
With the victory the host Skyhawks completed a three-game sweep over SIUE and open the Ohio Valley Conference with a 3-0 worksheet.
The Skyhawks trailed 2-1 and only had four of their 10 hits before the fifth inning. SIU Edwardsville added a run to its tally in the top of the sixth inning, but the Skyhawks answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning when Erica Duke singled to the right side to plate Katie Reiff.
UT Martin freshman Lauren Smith opened the bottom half of the seventh inning with a single. Morgan Lewis, Kenzi Tate and Duke drew walks in the inning. Duke plated the tying run with her walked. With the bases loaded Williams, who singled earlier in the game, was up with the bases loaded.
Williams was ahead in the count, two balls and one strike, when Canary gave her the take sign.
Senior Chelsea Jones picked up her ninth win of the season in the circle. She gave up six hits and two earned runs.
SIU Edwardsville’s Brittany Toole was 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI. Alex McDavid also had two hits for the Cougars.
“SIUE has a good team,” Canary said. “They are going to win some games.”
SIUE is now 7-15 overall and 0-3 in the OVC.
Junior college transfer Katie Reiff made her Skyhawk home debut with a grand slam that fueled a six-run third inning in Saturday’s opener.
Kenzi Tate followed the blast with her first collegiate homer, a solo shot, to give the Skyhawks a 7-1 advantage after three innings. It was Reiff’s second home run of the season and first grand slam as a Skyhawk.
Chelsea Jones tossed a complete game en route to her eighth victory of the season. Jones gave up eight hits and a walk, but struck out eight and only allowed one earned run. Published in The WCP 3.13.12