Golden Eagles sweep Belmont, 8-0 and 2-1

By TTU Sports Information

April 03, 2003

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tia Brenning tossed a three-hitter and LeeAnne Mongar smashed her 28th career home run as Tennessee Tech blanked Belmont University, 8-0, in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday evening. In the nightcap, Lisa Lamb took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, then needed a save by Lori Bayless as the Golden Eagles swept the twinbill with a 2-1 victory.

Tech, 21-8, has won 15 of the last 17 games, and hosts the University of Arkansas Thursday in a 4 p.m. doubleheader. Belmont saw its record drop to 6-24-1.

The Golden Eagles jumped on Belmont starter Mandy Miles for five runs in the first inning of the opener with a single, two doubles, a triple and two errors by the Lady Bruins. Stephanie Dallmann singled to get the rally started and Mongar reached on an error to put runners on the corners with one out. The senior pair pulled a double steal, with Dallmann touching home for the 1-0 lead. Kacy Bennett doubled to score Mongar, and Amy Goad reached on an error that scored Bennett. Lindsey Bornhoeft doubled and Marianne Novac tripled for the 5-0 lead.

Tech scored three more in the fourth when Mongar ripped a shot into the wind over the left field fence, scoring Jadryen Layne and Dallmann.

Brenning (10-2), named Monday as the OVC Pitcher of the Week, allowed Belmont only three runners with singles in the third, fourth and fifth innings. She didn't walk a batter and struck out two. Miles (3-13) took the loss, allowing eight hits, walking three and striking out three.

Lamb, who tossed a two-hit shutout against Alabama A&M a week ago, allowed just three base runners through the first six innings on two walks and a hit batter. The Golden Eagles scored single runs in the second and fifth innings for a 2-0 lead, and the Golden Eagles appeared to be on their way to their third shutout in a row at home.

Instead, catcher LeAnna Crandall led off the seventh with a fly ball to right field that drifted over the head of Lindsey Williams for a triple to end the no-hit bid. Sara Peeples slashed a solid line drive double to left center to break up the shuout, and Amber Brown followed by driving a ball off the third base bag for a single. The hit could have tied the game by scooting down the line into the corner, but it bounced off the bag into left field where Jadryen Layne fielded it and was able to hold the lead runner at third.

That's when coach Tory Acheson called on Bayless in relief. After walking the first batter she faced to load the bases, the junior struck out the next two batters on six pitches and got the final out on a hard grounder to LeeAnne Mongar at first.

Tech's run in the second inning came when Novac reached on an error, stole second base, and came around to score on Dallmann's single. In the fifth, Lindsey Williams walked and moved to second on an error. Samantha Lovelady singled to knock in the run for a 2-0 lead.

Lamb (6-2) finished with a three-hitter to get the win, while Bayless recorded her league-leading third save of the year.Belmont's Tara Allen (3-11) took the loss, allowing six hits, walking two and striking out three.