COMMERCE, Texas- After 335 days since their last games, the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns took the field at the John Cain Family Softball Complex in Commerce, Texas against Texas A&M International and Texas A&M-Commerce.
GAME 1
In their first game back, the Golden suns fell short against a strong pitching performance from TAMIU, falling 4-1. Arkansas Tech was first on the scoreboard after a homer from Morgyn Fulgham in the top of the third inning.
The Dust Devils tied things up in the bottom of the fourth after a homer from Shelby Edwar. Paty Laredo joined the lineup and singled up the middle but the Golden Suns went to the bottom of the fifth without scoring.
A homer from Erika Cortez put TAMIU up 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth. Reisa Bakenhus singled through the left side and Tymber Riley was hit by a pitch, but a double-play ended the inning before Arkansas Tech could score.
TAMIU tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the sixth and the Golden Suns went down in order in the top of the seventh, securing the Dust Devils victory.
Starting pitcher Maddy Prough took the loss after allowing four runs off five hits. She struckout seven in 5.1 innings. Lexy Taylor pitched the last two-thirds of the sixth, allowing one hit and struckout one.
The Golden Suns finished the game with one run off three hits and left two on base in the loss. The Dust Devils scored four runs off six hits and left four on base.
GAME 2
Facing their first nationally-ranked opponent, the Golden Suns did not go down without a fight. TAMU-Commerce edged out Arkansas Tech 5-3 in Tech's second game of a doubleheader.
The Golden Suns struck first when Makenzie Addis homered down the left field line in the top of the fourth inning. TAMU-Commerce answered right back with ta double and wo homers in the bottom of the fifth, taking a 3-1 lead
Arkansas Tech fought back in the top of the sixth inning, scoring two from a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly by Morgyn Fulgham and tying the Lions 3-3. TAMU-Commerce managed to score two more in the bottom of the sixth and took down the Golden Suns in order in the top of the seventh to secure a 5-3.
Robyn Bales picked up the loss, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing five runs off eight hits. The starting pitcher struckout three before Kayla Cartwright came in for the last two-thirds innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one.
Addis led the way, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a home run. Paty Loredo added the Golden Suns other hit with a single to right center in the top of the second. Arkansas Tech left six on base, while the Lions left seven. TAMU-Commerce finished the game with nine hits.
The Golden Suns will be back in action tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m. against TAMIU and TAMU-Commerce.
