UT Martin softball head coach Donley Canary was looking for some clutch hitting a week ago in the Jimmy John’s Lions Classic at Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond.
He found three clutch hits this week in the Kennesaw Classic in Woodstock, Ga., as UTM won three out of four games in the two-day tournament this weekend.
The Skyhawks opened the tournament with an 11-10 victory over Mercer, suffered a 2-0 setback to Ball State and then knocked off Kennesaw State 5-4 and UAB 2-0.
Sophomore Kenzi Tate delivered a RBI double as the Skyhawks scored three runs on three hits in the top of the seventh inning to beat Mercer. Senior Leah Taylor delivered the go ahead run with a solo home run to center field in the fifth inning against Kennesaw State. Sophomore Lauren Smith crushed a two-run home run for the offensive burst against UAB.
UTM 11, Mercer 10
The Skyhawks tagged Mercer pitchers for 12 hits, stole seven bases and scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to claim the come-from-behind victory.
Five Skyhawks had two hits each in the game — Taylor, Smith, Kayla Wade, Katie Reiff and true freshman Deven Wilson.
Taylor scored three runs and stole three bases, while Wade had three RBI. Wilson drove in a pair of runs to go with her two hits.
In the circle, the Skyhawks used three pitchers, Morgan Lewis, Autumn Glenn and Tate, who picked up the win. Tate pitched two innings, gave up two hits, four runs and five walks. She struck out two batters and now sports a 4-0 won-loss worksheet in the circle.
Ball State 2, UTM 0
The Skyhawks managed three hits against Ball State, but it wasn’t enough for the victory. Taylor, Stephanie Nidiffer and Becca Williams had one hit each. Sophomore Casey Vincent suffered the loss in the circle despite striking out nine batters. Vincent gave up four hits, four walks and two runs.
UTM 5, Kennesaw St. 4
Despite having a field day on the base paths, Taylor hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning to break open a 4-4 tie.
Tate earned the win in the circle for the Skyhawks. She pitched seven innings, gave up 10 hits, four runs and a pair of walks. She also struck out five in the game.
UTM 2, UAB 0
Smith led the Skyhawks to a 2-0 victory over UAB with a two-run blast to right field in the top of the seventh inning.

Published in The WCP 2.21.13