KINGSPORT, Tenn. (April 28, 2022) - On Thursday, the Truett McConnell University softball team participated in day three of the double-elimination Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament. The Lady Bears faced No. 7 Point University for game one, where they secured a run-rule victory (13-5). In game two, TMU took down No. 2 Reinhardt University to advance to the AAC semi-finals (7-0).
 
VS. POINT UNIVERSITY | 13-5 (5 Innings)
In game one, the Lady Bears were first to score with a Lexi Simonton single, followed by an Alicia Price single. With runners in scoring position, a misplayed ball by the Skyhawks scored two runs (2-0). Point retaliated with four runs of their own, but TMU did not back down (2-4). In the top of the second, the bats came alive with a Justine Kennington single, followed by a Mikayla Sullens single. Pinch hitter, Ellie Abner had a fielder's choice play to score one (3-4). Another Simonton single tied the score, while a Kyndall Gipson double put the Lady Bears up 7-4. The Skyhawks were able to score one more run, but TMU rallied together to score another six runs to end the game in the fifth inning.
 
LEADERS
Most notable, pitcher Karley Hobbs recorded her 100th career win, after holding the Point offense through four innings, allowing a single run and recording two strikouts. 

Simonton and Price led the way offensively, going 2-4 at the plate, tallying two runs apiece, while Simonton had one RBI. Gipson followed, going 2-3 with three RBIs. Rachel Morgan and Kennington were 2-4 at the plate with one RBI. Sullens went 2-4 at the plate and tallied two RBIs.
 
VS. REINHARDT UNIVERSITY | 7-0
In game two, TMU was first to strike in the bottom of the second inning. A Mattie Brooks single, followed by a misplayed ball put runners in scoring position. A Sullens single scored one, while a Price, B. Lawson and Gipson single scored five more runs (6-0). Reinhardt was unable to respond due to a sharp performance from the Lady Bears defense and Hobbs on the mound, while the Lady Bears collected their final run on a misplayed ball, ultimately resulting in a 7-0 victory for TMU.
 
LEADERS
B. Lawson led the way offensively, going 2-4 at the plate with two RBIs. Price went 1-3 at the plate with one RBI and one run tallied. Gipson was 1-3 at the plate with two RBIs, while Brooks and Kennington individually were 1-3 at the plate.
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears face No. 1 Bryan College in day four of the double-elimination AAC Tournament. Game time is set for 11:00 a.m.