CLEVELAND, Ga. (Feb. 15, 2020) – The No. 14 Truett McConnell University softball team hosted West Virginia University Institute of Technology for a nonconference doubleheader on Saturday at the TMU Softball Complex. The Lady Bears came out on top 4-2 in game and 4-1 in game two to clinch their first sweep of the season, which put TMU at 3-1 on the year.

GAME ONE 4-2

After Bethany Hyde led the Lady Bears from the mound throwing back-to-back three up three down innings, freshman Mattie Brooks led off with a single to left field in the bottom of the second and eventually put the Lady Bears up on the scoreboard first on Liz Bunton's clutch squeeze play for a base hit (1-0). After Hyde went three up three down again, senior Jaden Morrison led off with a single to the pitcher's mound and eventually ran home on Brooks' single through the hole at shortstop (2-0). Hyde's fourth inning was another three up three down but the Golden Bears were capable of tying it up in the sixth (2-2). However, the Lady Bears responded with two more of their own.

Freshman Justine Kennington sparked the bottom half of the sixth with a walk but it was Sarah Wills' batted ball that allowed Kennington to put the Lady Bears out front for good (3-2). Morrison drove Bunton home for the final run of the game (4-2). Karley Hobbs and the Lady Bears defense, however, ultimately sealed the deal in the seventh on two strikeouts and a ground out.

LEADERS

Kennington was perfect at the plate (2-for-2), while Brooks and Bunton each went 2-for-3. Hyde was credited the win after five impressive innings of one hit, one run, three walks and five strikeouts. Hobbs earned the save after throwing two innings of three hits, one run, one walk and three strikeouts.

GAME TWO 4-1

Morrison put the Lady Bears back up on the scoreboard first in the first inning on Kennington's infield single (1-0). WVUTech matched it in the third (1-1) but it was only up from there for TMU. Bunton ran home on Alicia Price's batted ball (2-1), Wills' triple scored Kathrine Kozlowski (3-1) and Morrison's batted ball allowed Macey Dunaway to score the fourth and final run of the day (4-1).

Although the Golden Tigers got two on base twice the rest of the way, Hobbs and the Lady Bears' stellar defense held off WVUTech long enough to fasten the sweep.

LEADERS

Morrison, Briley Lawson, Kennington, Price and Wills all had a hit apiece. Hobbs was credited the win after throwing a complete game of four hits, one run, three walks and five strikeouts.

UP NEXT

The Lady Bears are set to host No. 18 William & Carey University on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 1:00 p.m.