BARBOURVILLE, Ky. (April 16, 2022) - On Saturday, the Truett McConnell University softball team traveled to Barbourville, Ky. to face Appalachian Athletic Conference foe, Union College. The Lady Bears secured a sweep with an 8-5 and 5-1 win over the Bulldogs. TMU's record improves to 25-22, 18-8 AAC, while the Bulldogs fall to 16-22, 13-13 AAC.
 
GAME 1 | 8-5
In game one, both teams were evenly matched until the third inning. The Lady Bears were first to score with a Justine Kennington single, followed by a Lexi Simonton sacrifice bunt to move runners into scoring position. A single from Alicia Price scored Kennington, making the score 1-0. A Mikayla Sullens two-run home-run in the top of the fourth made the score 3-0. The Bulldogs retaliated with a run of their own, but TMU quickly gathered two more runs (5-1). The Lady Bears scored the last of their runs in the top of the sixth inning, starting with a Sullens double and Kennington single. A Simonton double scored two, followed by a Briley Lawson single to score one more (8-1). The Bulldogs responded with four runs, but TMU kept them away and won 8-1.
 
LEADERS
Kennington led the way offensively, going 3-4 at the plate with two runs tallied. Simonton followed going 2-4 with two RBIs and one run. Price and B. Lawson were both 2-4 with one RBI apiece, while Sullens was 2-4 with two RBIs.
 
Pitcher Kyleigh Sanders threw six innings and recorded eight strikeouts on the day. Ellie McCloy threw one inning and recorded one strikeout on the day.
 
GAME 2 | 5-1
In game two, TMU came out strong with a Kennington single and a misplayed ball to score one run (1-0). Kyndall Gipson reached first on a fielder's choice, followed by a Mattie Brooks single to score Gipson (2-0). A wild pitch scored Brooks and Simonton, ending the inning (3-0). The Bulldogs responded in the bottom of the second with one run (3-1). In the fifth, Price singled and a B. Lawson double put runners in scoring position. Price scored on a Gipson ball to end the inning (4-1). TMU collected their last run on an Isabella Sullivan sacrifice hit to score Anna Thomas, securing a 5-1 victory over the Bulldogs.
 
LEADERS
Brooks led the way offensively, going 2-3 at the plate with one RBI and one run. Kennington and B. Lawson followed, both going 1-3 at the plate, where Kennington tallied one run and B. Lawson tallied one RBI. Price was 1-4 at the plate with one run tallied.
 
Pitcher Karley Hobbs threw a complete game, only allowing four hits and one run over seven innings. Hobbs also tallied four strikeouts on the day.
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears will travel to Milligan College, Tenn. to face AAC opponent Milligan University on Wednesday, April 19. Game times are set for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.