Mother Nature had an impact on the competition this weekend as the UTM softball team finished an abbreviated version of the Econo-Lodge Classic at the Martin Recreation Softball Complex in second place with a 2-1 record before rain cancelled the final day of play.

The Skyhawks’ two wins featured identical 9-0 scores as the team shut out both Butler and Belmont.

Against Butler, pitcher Megan Mizell was in complete control. She allowed one hit through four innings and struck out three of the twelve batters she faced.

Offensively, junior outfielder Brandy Whalen and senior shortstop Kristin Runyan came up with clutch hits for the Skyhawks. In the third inning, Whalen sent the ball out of the park for a three-run home run, her first career blast. She drove in four runs for the game.

In the next inning, Runyan hit a two-run homer.

Sophomore relief pitcher Holly Templeton pitched a solid seventh inning to close the game, allowing only two hits to the five batters she faced.

In game two, Skyhawk senior pitcher Nicole Davis turned in an outstanding performance, striking out nine Belmont batters in six innings.

Davis surrendered only five hits while facing 26 Bruin batters. She helped her own cause at the plate, driving in two of her team’s runs. The game ended in the bottom of the sixth inning on Brandy Whalen’s second career home run.

UTM’s lone loss of the day came in its final game as Indiana State rallied to beat the Skyhawks, 5-2.

Skyhawk senior Allison Buckley pitched six innings and took her first loss of the season.

The Skyhawks struggled against Sycamore pitcher Darcy Wood, managing only four hits in seven innings.

Kristin Runyan was responsible for both UTM runs as she drove in Jennifer Young in the first inning and scored a run of her own on an error by Wood.

Sunday’s games were cancelled due to rain that moved into the Martin area overnight.

The Skyhawks’ record is 2-4, picking up the other three losses at their opening at the annual Ole Miss Tournament.

They now prepare for this weekend’s Georgia State Tournament. The team will face Drexel and Georgia State on Saturday, followed by a Sunday game against Wright State.