Tennessee Tech Softball Heads to Gardner-Webb Classic Amidst Challenging Start
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (0-4) will compete in the Gardner-Webb Red and Black Classic this weekend, facing Lehigh and Queens in a series of matchups at Boiling Springs, North Carolina. The tournament begins Friday, February 13th, with a 9:00 AM contest against Lehigh.
Tournament Schedule & Opponent Insights
Tech will play Lehigh twice, with a second game scheduled for Sunday at 9:00 AM. Sandwiched between those games are two contests against Queens University – Friday at 11:30 AM and Saturday at 9:00 AM. The Golden Eagles will conclude the tournament with a 2:00 PM game against the host, Gardner-Webb, on Saturday.
Weather is a potential factor, with a 99% chance of rain predicted for Sunday. All game times are subject to change.
Lehigh’s Strong Start to the Season
Lehigh enters the tournament with a 3-2 record after competing at the Felsberg Invitational in Miami. They secured wins against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (9-5) and Stony Brook (15-6 in five innings), demonstrating offensive power. Megan Lodge is currently batting .800 for Lehigh, while Crysta Duenas leads the team with four RBI.
On the pitching side, Maddie Masiko boasts a 0.00 ERA in 5 1/3 innings, and Chloe Hess has a 1-0 record with a 1.85 ERA.
Queens and Gardner-Webb: Recent Performances
Queens recently suffered a 7-5 loss to Bowling Green. Kami Diaz and Lindsay Henson each drove in two runs for Queens in that contest. Gardner-Webb is coming off a 3-2 weekend in their home tournament, with Reese Collier driving in 10 runs and Taylor Dreher recording seven RBI.
Golden Eagles Seeking Momentum
Tennessee Tech is looking to turn things around after dropping all four games last week at the Campbell Tournament. Jailynn Paderez currently leads the team with a .400 batting average, and Ella Bishop has three RBI. Lainey Fitzgerald has a 4.20 ERA with 11 strikeouts, while Addison Abell has the team’s best ERA at 2.00 in seven frames.
Pro Tip:
Stay updated on game times and potential weather delays by checking the TTU Sports website and Gardner-Webb University Athletics coverage page for the latest information.
FAQ
Q: Where is the Gardner-Webb Red and Black Classic being held?
A: Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
Q: What is the Golden Eagles’ current record?
A: 0-4.
Q: Who are Tennessee Tech’s key players to watch?
A: Jailynn Paderez and Ella Bishop.
Q: Is there a chance of rain during the tournament?
A: Yes, there is a 99% chance of rain predicted for Sunday.
Did you know? Lehigh is scheduled to play five pre-league tournaments in 2026, including three trips to North Carolina.
For more information on the Tennessee Tech softball team, visit TTU Sports.
Stay tuned for updates and results from the Gardner-Webb Red and Black Classic!
