Hattiesburg, Ms. | The Lady Bears entered day two of the Opening Round of the 2018 NAIA Softball National Championship with hopes of advancing to Wednesday's championship round. In order to do that, they would have to win two tough games, which could potentially be played back-to-back.
Game 1 vs. Talladega College (18-21 overall)
#23 ranked Truett McConnell (40-16 overall) faced off against Talladega College (18-21 overall). Earlier in the year, the Lady Bears swept the series against Talladega.
Beginning early in the top of the 1st, the senior from Maysville, GA,
Milly Martinet, blasted her 15th homerun of the year of the left field wall to give the Lady Bears a 1-0 lead.
Karley Hobbs was named the starting pitcher to begin the afternoon for the Lady Bears.
Talladega's bats would come alive in the bottom of the 3rd inning, as they took the lead after scoring three runs.
The Lady Bears responded to Talladega in the top of the 4th, as Martinet began the inning with a double to deep center. Senior
Reba Jones then hit a sacrifice-bunt to move Martinet up to third base. Martinet would make it home on a play at the plate from a passed ball, as the Lady Bears narrowed Talladega's lead to 3-2.
Bethany Hyde got the call into the game, as she showed a strong command on the mound for the Lady Bears.
When all hope seemed lost for the Lady Bears entering the top of the 7th, they would finish the game in dramatic fashion.
Jaden Morrison reached first base on a bunt, and she would later steal second base.
Kaitlynn Hay then moved Morrison to third base with a base hit. With runners on the corners and one out,
Sara Sullivan placed a perfect bunt that allowed Morrison to score to tie the game and Hay to move to third base. Martinet capped off the comeback with a sacrifice-fly to shallow left field, which sent Hay home to take a 4-3 lead.
Hyde continued her dominance on the mound and finished the game strong for the Lady Bears, as she did not give up a hit in her appearance.
The Lady Bears would survive elimination and move on to play #19 ranked William Carey (38-15 overall) immediately following their first game of the day.
Game 2 vs. #19 William Carey (38-15 overall)
Entering their second matchup against #19 ranked William Carey (38-15 overall), the Lady Bears looked to bounce back from their earlier 5-0 loss they had taken from William Carey yesterday.
Similar to game one, the Lady Bears would get on the scoreboard early. After being hit by a pitch,
Sara Sullivan moved to third base off a double from
Milly Martinet. Sullivan was then sent home for the first run of the game for the Lady Bears off a sacrifice-fly from
Reba Jones.
Bethany Hyde started on the mound for the Lady Bears, after an impressive performance in game one of the day.
William Carey responded to the early surge of the Lady Bears, tying the game up at 1-1 in the bottom of the 1st.
In the top of the 4th,
Reba Jones, after hitting a single, was sent home from first base off a double to deep right-center field from
Brie Levy for a 2-1 lead.
The Lady Bears did not hesitate to continue to extend their lead in the top of the 7th.
Jaden Morrison hit an RBI-single to score
Sarah Horne.
Peyton Wilson would score from third base on a wild pitch to push the Lady Bears lead to 4-1.
William Carey attempted to fight back, but they would fall short, as the Lady Bears eliminated #19 ranked William Carey and advance to the championship of the Opening Round of the 2018 NAIA Softball National Championship by a final score of 4-2.
The Lady Bears will move on to play #7 ranked Indiana Wesleyan (56-9 overall) tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m. EST. If the Lady Bears win, they will have to play Indiana Wesleyan immediately following game one since they have not lost a game yet in the opening round. The Lady Bears now move to 42-16 overall on the season. Live stream and live stats will be available.
Tournament Links:
Watch Live: CLICK HERE
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
Opening Round Schedule and Results: CLICK HERE
