JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 27, 2024) – After digging itself into an early hole, the ETSU softball team had chances to ignite a rally; however, missed opportunities cost the Buccaneers as the Blue & Gold dropped a 7-2 decision to Tennessee Tech on Wednesday night at Betty Basler Field.
 
Coming off a hard-fought 2-1 win at Winthrop on Tuesday, ETSU was looking to carry momentum into a non-conference tilt with the Golden Eagles. Unfortunately, Tennessee Tech struck for three runs in the top of the first and belted three home runs on the night to secure a five-run road victory.
 
The Bucs, who left 10 runners stranded, got a sacrifice fly RBI from starting pitcher Cameron Lauretta in the bottom of the second and Taylor Suchy scored in the bottom of the sixth when pinch hitter Gracen Hinson worked a four-pitch walk.
 
ETSU had the bases loaded in the fourth and sixth innings, but only pushed across one run. Overall, the Bucs were 2-of-9 with runners in scoring position and 2-of-12 with runners on base. In the fourth inning, leadoff hitter Brylee Mesusan struck out on a 2-2 pitch and Cameron Young – who entered the night leading the Southern Conference with a .450 batting average – struck out on three pitches to end the threat in the sixth.
 
Tennessee Tech jumped out to the 3-0 first-inning lead with RBI singles, while three of its final four runs came via the long ball – all solo shots.
 
Maddison Stowell and Suchy combined to go 4-for-8 with two doubles and two runs scored.
 
Lauretta got the starting nod in the circle and suffered the loss (0-2) after allowing five runs on five hits with three walks in 2.1 innings. Kendall Thackston tossed 2.2 no-hit innings but walked three and struck out two, while Whitley Arnott – who earned the win last night at Winthrop – pitched the last two innings in relief.
 
Tennessee Tech used four pitchers on the night with Payton Wagner earning the win (5-2) after tossing two scoreless innings out of the bullepn. Emily York entered with the bases loaded in the sixth to register her fifth save the campaign. York held ETSU to one hit over the final 1.1 innings.
 
With the loss, ETSU dropped to 5-19, while Tennessee Tech improved to 15-11.
 
The Bucs jump back into conference play this Friday as ETSU travels to take on league-leading Chattanooga. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.
 
For more information about ETSU softball, visit ETSUBucs.com and select softball.