KINGSPORT, Tenn. (April 29, 2022) - On Friday, the Truett McConnell University softball team competed in day four of the double-elimination Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament. The Lady Bears faced No. 1 Bryan College, where a 2-1 win sent TMU to the championship game. In game two, the Lady Bears fell by slim margins to No. 3 Tennessee Welseyan, who was crowned tournament champion. TMU finishes the 2022 season with an overall record of 32-25, 20-8 AAC and finished runner-up in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament.
 
VS. BRYAN COLLEGE | 2-1
In game one, the Lions were first to score with a run in the bottom of the third. The Lady Bears quickly retaliated with an Alicia Price single, Kyndall Gipson walk and a wild pitch to tie the game (1-1). Pitcher Karley Hobbs had a great outing on the mound, shutting down the Lions offense through 7.0 innings. In the fourth inning, a Lexi Simonton single and another misplayed ball led TMU to secure a 2-1 victory, and eliminate the No.1 seed Bryan.
 
LEADERS
Justine Kennington led the way offensively, going 2-3 at the plate. Simonton followed, going 1-3. Price was 1-2 at the plate with one run tallied. Rachel Morgan was also 1-3 at the plate, while Hobbs recorded two strikeouts and allowed only one run. 
 
VS. TENNESSEE WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | 1-2
In game two, TMU was first to score in the top of the third. Kennington hit a triple down the right-field line, while an Ellie Abner single scored the only run of the game (1-0). In the bottom of the fifth, the Bulldogs were able to score their first run of the game to bridge the gap (1-1). The remainder of the game proved a pitchers duel, with strong performances by Hobbs and Kyleigh Sanders. Late in the seventh inning, the Bulldogs rallied together to steal the lead with a second run, ultimately resulting in a final loss for the Lady Bears (2-1).
 
LEADERS
Kennington led the way offensively, going 1-2 at the plate with one run tallied. Anna Thomas was 1-1 at the plate, while Sanders tallied three strikeouts on the day.