RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech softball team won the opening game of their weekend series at home against Harding behind timely hitting and a six-hit shutout from pitcher
Aly White.
The first timely hit by the Golden Suns came in the bottom of the first inning as, after falling behind 0-2 in the count and fouling off three-straight pitches,
Caroline Wilhelm singled through the left side to score
Miya Curry and
Aubree Jones.
Prior to that two-RBI knock by Wilhelm, Curry reached base on a one-out hit-by-pitch while Jones drew a walk. Right after that, the Golden Suns had the bases loaded as White did her part in helping her own cause in the circle with an infield bunt single.
That 2-0 lead gained by the Golden Suns in the bottom of the first proved to be more than enough as White did a masterful job of keeping Harding off-balance. In her shutout effort, White scattered six hits with only one being an extra-base hit, walked none and struck out three.
Even as White was doing her part in keeping the Lady Bisons scoreless, she still benefited from an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth as
Sharlee Jackson hit a sacrifice fly to right-centerfield to score Wilhelm, who led off the inning with a walk.
With inclement weather expected on Friday, the series will resume and conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. First-pitch is slated for Noon and prior to that start time, the Golden Suns will honor the three seniors on this year's team.
Saturday will also be
Pack the Berm presented by Lee Ann's Fine Jewelry – a community event hosted by the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce. All the fun and games for that will start at 10 a.m.
