The Tennessee Tech softball team is set to play a three-game series against Ohio Valley Conference leader Eastern Illinois, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. The schedule may change due to possible bad weather, with updates available on TTUsports.com and the team’s social media channels.
This matchup is significant as the conference standings remain close with only three weekends left in the regular season. Eastern Illinois currently holds first place with a 14-3 record in OVC play (23-20 overall), while UT Martin trails by one game at 13-4 (26-17 overall). Tennessee Tech sits third at 11-7, but several teams—including Southeast Missouri, SIUE, Southern Indiana, and Lindenwood—are within five games of the top spot.
Statistically, both teams appear evenly matched. Tennessee Tech ranks second in batting average among OVC teams while Eastern Illinois is third. In pitching statistics, EIU holds fifth place and Tech sixth. The Panthers are hitting .286 as a team this season and have recorded 70 extra-base hits along with 214 runs scored. Lizzie Stiverson leads EIU hitters with a .351 average.
Eastern Illinois recently ended a strong stretch that included a 15-game winning streak snapped by Indiana State and UT Martin earlier this month. Most recently, they defeated Saint Louis 6-1 on Thursday.
Tennessee Tech has experienced mixed results lately after going 10-6 in March but posting just three wins so far in April. However, the Golden Eagles returned to form Tuesday by defeating Bellarmine 8-0 via run rule after scoring six runs in the fourth inning.
Tech’s offense is led by Jailynn Paderez (.390 average) and Ashley Capelouto (33 RBI), while Olivia Evans tops the team in runs scored (29) and stolen bases (16). On the mound, Addison Abell has posted a team-best earned run average of 3.53.
