COCHRAN, Ga. (Feb. 8, 2019) – The No. 20 Truett McConnell University softball team continued their 2019 campaign with a nonconference sweep at Middle Georgia State University. The Lady Bears won 8-5, 4-3 to improve to an overall record of 5-1.
COACH'S COMMENTS
"Two great road wins today," Head Coach Jenni Shepard said. "Hyde held a no hitter into the fifth (in game one). We did a lot of work this week on our swings, watched film, made adjustments and it showed today as we brought our bats strong in game one.
The girls are playing hard for each other and have been battling sickness but they did not let that affect us; we played hard not at 100%. I'm glad to see the depth and to see that multiple people are doing their jobs when called upon."
GAME ONE (8-5)
Senior Brie Levy blasted a two-run home run over the center field fence to immediately put the Lady Bears out front in the top of the first (2-0). Junior Sara Sullivan singled to center field in the top of the second to drive home Kathrine Kozlowski (3-0).
Bethany Hyde continued to hold Middle GA hitless while TMU scored another run in the top of the fourth on a dropped fly ball (4-0). The Lady Bears went on to dominate in the top of the fifth to tally three more hits enabling four more runs (8-0). However, the Knights were capable of scoring four runs of their own (8-4) in the bottom of the fifth but sophomore Karley Hobbs allowed one unearned run (bottom of the seventh) through 2.2 innings of work to secure the first win of the day (8-5).
LEADERS (4-3)
Jaden Morrison and Sara Sullivan went 2-for-3 while Brie Levy went 2-for-4. Sullivan also tallied three RBI's.
Hyde was credited the win after striking out five and walking zero over the course of 4.1 innings.
GAME TWO (4-3)
Middle GA scored a run in the bottom of the first (1-0) but Levy drove Morrison across home plate with a single up the middle for the tying run in the top of the third (1-1). The Knights got out front with another run in the bottom of the fourth (1-2) but Sullivan scored the second tying run of the game on a fielder's choice in the sixth (2-2). Freshman Briley Lawson was credited the RBI.
The game was sent into extra innings (2-2) and because of the ITB (international tie breaker) rule, Morrison was put on second base to start the inning. After Levy walked, Lawson rose to the occasion by hitting a double down the right field line to score both Morrison and Levy (4-2).
The Knights were able to score one in the bottom of the eighth (4-3), but Hobbs and the Lady Bears were resilient defensively to close the game and secure their sweep over Middle GA.
LEADERS
Morrison went 3-for-4, Levy went 2-for-3 and junior transfer Liz Bunton went 2-for-4. Lawson tallied three RBI's.
Hobbs pitched a complete game allowing seven hits, striking out three and walking one.
UP NEXT
 The Lady Bears have a quick turnaround as they face Thomas University on Saturday, Feb. 8, in a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m.
