Arkansas Tech University defeated Minnesota State University and dropped a close one to Upper Iowa University on Sunday during its first softball appearance of 2019 at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex in Russellville.
The Golden Suns (6-6) will begin Great American Conference play with a four-game series at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. The contests are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24, and 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 25.
Game One: Tech 14, Minnesota State 4
Makenzie Goins and Paty Loredo notched three runs batted in apiece to lead Arkansas Tech past Minnesota State 14-4.
Bailey Bunch added three hits and Ashton Sangster contributed two RBIs for the Golden Suns.
ATU starting pitcher Megan Goodnight (3-0) was charged with four runs, all unearned, on five hits over four and one-third innings.
Game Two: Upper Iowa 8, Tech 7
Upper Iowa relief pitcher Emily Kisch stranded the tying run at second base in the bottom of the seventh inning to preserve an 8-7 victory over Arkansas Tech.
Goodnight was 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBIs for the Golden Suns, while Gaby Vasquez went 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs.
