CLEVELAND, Ga. (Feb. 25, 2021) – The No. 9 Truett McConnell University softball team collected their first home sweep Thursday inside the TMU Softball Complex, where they bested Brewton-Parker College to win game one with a score of 9-3, followed by a rally in the bottom of the 10th in game two, which resulted in a final score of 8-7. The Lady Bears extended their win streak to three and are now sitting at a record of 5-3, 0-0 AAC, while the Barons declined to a record of 1-5.
GAME ONE 9-3
The Barons struck first with a lead off homerun (0-1), but TMU quickly retaliated with a Briley Lawson two-run homerun over the centerfield fence, followed by a Katherine Kozlowski double to deep left-center to score Mattie Brooks on second. The inning was capped off with a Lauren Barrett single to left to score Kozlowski (4-1).
The top of second saw two more runs from Brewton-Parker, leaving them one away from bridging the gap (4-3). It wasn't until the bottom of the fourth that a Kozlowski double to deep-right scored Sara Sullivan and Justine Kennington to put TMU out front with a score of 6-3. The Lady Bears added three more runs in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win with a final score of 9-3.
LEADERS
Lawson and Kozlowski individually led the way going 3-for-4 at the plate, including three RBIs and a single run. Barrett went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk, while Sullivan went 1-for-1 with two runs, two sacrifice bunts and a hit by pitch. Junior Mikayla Sullens was also featured going 2-for-3 at the plate, followed by freshman Anna Thomas who was 1-for-3 with a single walk and run. Brooks had one hit and run, while sophomore Ellie Abner tallied a hit and RBI of her own.
Senior Bethany Hyde collected her second win of the season, including nine strikeouts, five hits, three runs and two walks.
GAME TWO 8-7 | 10 INNINGS
Game two saw Brewton-Parker ahead by three (1-4), until the bottom of the sixth, when the Lady Bears tied the game 4-4. Sullivan sparked the inning with a double off of the left field fence, then proceeded to score, along with Brooks, from a Kozlowski single, which was followed by a single to right from Barrett to score the tying run.
The score remained even in conclusion of the seventh, sending the game into an international tiebreaker, which saw both teams execute to force the game into triple overtime (6-6). The Barons pulled ahead by one in the top of tenth (6-7), but were shut down after getting picked off from a clutch diving tag play by Kozlowski and a Karley Hobbs strike out for out number three. Brooks led off for TMU in the bottom of the 10th, reaching first on a bunted base hit, which advanced Kataryna Fuller to third. Kozlowski's sacrifice hit to third scored Fuller, tying the score 7-7. Barrett, up to bat with two outs, hit a ball to the third baseman, who made a wild throw, leaving Barrett safe at first, while Brooks scored the winning run from second, stealing game two with a final score of 8-7.
LEADERS
Brooks led game two going 2-for-4 at the plate with four runs, while Sullivan went 2-for-5 with a run of her own. Kennington went 2-for-5 as well with a run and RBI, followed by Barrett who went 1-for-5 with an RBI. Thomas added one hit and RBI of her own. Kozlowski tallied a single hit with three RBIs, while junior Alicia Price and Lawson had one hit apiece.
Hobbs secured her third win of the season, featuring seven strike outs, seven hits, five walks and four runs.
UP NEXT
Weather permitted, the Lady Bears are back in action Saturday, Feb. 27 inside the TMU Softball Complex, where they will face the University of Rio Grande in a double header, with game times at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
