Arkansas Tech University earned one victory in four games at a softball classic hosted by the University of Arkansas-Monticello in Bentonville on Friday and Saturday.
The Golden Suns (6-6) will begin Great American Conference play on Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25, by visiting Northwestern Oklahoma State University for a four-game series.
Game One: Emporia State 7, Tech 6
Jacie Stephens’ two-run double in the top of the sixth inning was the game-winning hit in a 7-6 Emporia State University victory over Arkansas Tech on Friday.
Jalissa Gum and Janie Knowles had two runs batted in apiece for the Golden Suns.
Emporia State reliever Eryn Stockman (3-4) pitched two and two-thirds innings to earn the win in the circle.
Tech’s Bailey Shaffer (2-1) surrendered two runs in two-thirds of an inning out of the Golden Suns’ bullpen.
Game Two: Tech 6, Minnesota Duluth 2
Home runs by Gum, Megan Goodnight and Sarah Coronado propelled Arkansas Tech to a 6-2 win over the University of Minnesota Duluth on Friday.
Gum (1-2) pitched the first five innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out 11. Tech’s Morgan Vaughan recorded the final six outs for her third save of 2017.
UMD starter Breanna Swint (0-1) was charged with five runs on six hits in four innings.
Game Three: Minnesota State 8, Tech 0
Coley Ries tossed a one-hit shutout and Amber Kral drove in three runs to lead Minnesota State to an 8-0 victory over Arkansas Tech on Saturday.
Ries (4-0) struck out 10 Golden Suns over six innings. The game was stopped one inning early due to the mercy rule.
Gum (1-3) allowed four runs on three hits in three innings. She notched five strikeouts.
Coronado had Arkansas Tech’s only hit.
Game Four: Missouri Western 7, Tech 1
Missouri Western rapped out 10 base hits and defeated Arkansas Tech 7-1 on Saturday.
Barbara Billingsley (5-1) was the winning pitcher. She scattered six hits over seven innings and limited the Golden Suns to one run while striking out five.
Tech starter Morgan Vaughan (3-1) went three innings and was charged with four runs, two of which were earned, on six hits.
