Kingsport, Tn. | The Lady Bears Softball team took on #4 seeded Reinhardt University (29-24 overall; 17-7 AAC) today, April 28th, in an elimination game. With the win, #1 seeded Truett McConnell would advance to the Appalachian Athletic Conference Softball Tournament championship game. 

Freshman Karley Hobbs was called upon again as the starter for the elimination game. Hobbs started the game off sitting down Reinhardt's batters in order.

Entering bottom of the 1st inning, sophomore Sara Sullivan hit a single, which brought Milly Martinet to the plate. Martinet would be hit by pitch, putting runners on first and second. Reba Jones then hit a single that brought Sullivan home for the Lady Bears first run of the game. Karli Loudermilk then dialed in a big single, which sent Martinet and Jones home for a 3-0 lead.

Reinhardt would take advantage of a few errors by the Lady Bears to score one run to cut into their lead in the top of the 3rd.

Moving into the bottom of the 5th with a 3-1 lead, the Lady Bears ended the scoring drought, posting three runs. The scoring run began by Reba Jones hitting a single to score Macey Dunaway, pinch running for Milly Martinet, from second base. With Jones at third base, Sarah Horne singled to send Jones home to score the second run of the inning. After Loudermilk singled to left, head coach Jenni Shepard called upon sophomore Haley Taylor to pinch run for Loudermilk. Peyton Wilson then hit a single, which allowed Taylor to come around and score, as the Lady Bears extended their lead to 6-1. 

Reinhardt tried to fight back in the top of the 7th, posting two runs. The two runs would not be enough as the Lady Bears would eliminate #4 seeded Reinhardt University by a final score of 6-1.

The Lady Bears will play in the Appalachian Athletic Conference championship game today, April 28th, at 1 p.m. against #7 seeded Brenau University (28-18 overall; 14-10 AAC). Truett McConnell swept the season series against Brenau on April 17th, by scores of 4-3 and 1-0. This is the second time in the program's history the Lady Bears have advanced to the conference championship game. If the Lady Bears win at 1 p.m., they will play another game today at 3 p.m. as Brenau has not lost yet and the tournament is double elimination. Live steam will be available.


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