CONROE, Texas - The Arkansas Tech softball team drops their final two games of the weekend to St. Edwards and No. 3 UT-Tyler. Following this weekends six game slate, the Golden Suns wrap up the UT-Tyler Winter Classic with a 3-3 overall record.

GAME ONE
The first game of the day for the Golden Suns proved to be a defensive battle between the pitchers of both sides. Making the start in the circle for Arkansas Tech was Bailey Buffington who had another strong outing for her team against the Hilltoppers. 

Neither side would collect a hit in the opening inning of play. The first hit of the afternoon between both teams would be from the Golden Suns as Makenzie Goins would put a single up the middle in play to reach first base on the hit. Tech would do their best to try and bring a run in with Goins on base, but would fall just short of that as the game stood 0-0 heading into the third inning of play. 

The lone run of the game would be scored by St. Edward's in the top of the third inning that started with a hitter reaching first base following an error by the Tech third baseman. The runner at first would then steal second base and would make it home for the only run of the game off a double to left center field. Buffington would compose herself in the circle and pick up the final out putting out the Hilltopper hitter on a swinging strikeout. 

From here, the pitchers both went to work doing their best to keep the other sides offense from getting anything going. 

The lone run by the Hilltoppers would prove to be the deciding factor in the game as they would escape with the narrow 1-0 win over the Golden Suns.

Buffington recorded a solid outing in her time in the circle. She finished her performance with a complete seven inning game only allowing four hits and one unearned run while striking out one batter. On the season, Buffington moves to a 2-1 record.

GAME TWO
In the second and final game of the day, the Golden Suns went up against No. 3 UT-Tyler to close out their opening weekend. Making the start in the circle for Tech was Bradi Basler. 

Kaylyn Aguirre would collect an early hit in the first inning for the Golden Suns, but would be the only play they could get across offensively to start the game. 

The Patriots would start their offense in the bottom of the first with a single up the middle, then would steal second base to put their first runner in scoring position. A double down the left field line would put runners on second and third for UT-Tyler. The Golden Suns would collect a strong defensive out in the next at bat as they opted to get the next runner out at home following a play to the infield that resulted in the Golden Suns second baseman throwing it home to record the fielders choice and keep the score at 0-0. 

Basler would strike out the next batter that was due up for the Patriots. With two still on base for UT-Tyler a three-run home run by the Patriots would score three and give them a 3-0 advantage heading into the second inning of play.  

The Golden Suns would not find a run in the second, but UT-Tyler would find two more after back-to-back singles up the middle scored a pair of base runners to make it an 0-5 deficit for Tech following the second inning of play.

Following the second inning, Kaila Cartwright would replace Basler in the circle.

Cartwright would not allow the Patirots to find a run in the third, as the game still stood at a 5-0 lead for UT-Tyler.

In the top of the fourth, Sydney Keaton would deliver the Golden Suns a single down the left field line, while Basler would walk at the plate to put two on base with Keaton in scoring position. A single from Jessica Williams would load the bases for the Golden Suns hoping to make a dent in the Patriots lead. UT-Tyler would collect the final out of the frame and would still lead Tech 5-0 following the top of the fourth. 

The final runs of the game would be scored in the bottom of the fourth by the Patriots and would come off a solo home run to right field and a single to right field to give UT-Tyler an 8-0 lead that eventually led to the 8-0 win over the Golden Suns. 

The Golden Suns will be back in action next weekend for another tournament as they head just up the road to Bentonville, Ark. for the Alvy Early Memorial Classic that will begin on Friday, February 10 and run through Saturday. 





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