COCHRAN, Ga. (February 9, 2022) – The Truett McConnell University softball team competed in their season opener Thursday on the road against Middle Georgia State University, where the Lady Bears fell in two tough games against the Knights (1-9, 5-13).

GAME 1 | 1-9
The Lady Bears opened game one with a single from Grace Folds, followed by a single from Briley Lawson to put runners in scoring position. A Kyndall Gipson walk loaded the bases, but the Knights managed to escape the inning with no runs scored. MGA responded with numerous of hits and tacked on eight runs across the first inning (0-8). In the fourth inning, the Knights added their final run of the day (0-9). In the top of the fifth inning, a solo home run over the left field fence from Isabelle Sullivan gave the Lady Bears their lone run of the game, ultimately resulting in a final score of 1-9. 

LEADERS
Sullivan led the way, going 1-1 at the plate with one RBI and one run. Anna Thomas also went 1-1 at the plate, while Folds was 1-3 at the plate and Lawson was 1-2 at the plate.

Pitcher Olivia Haag made her debut as a Lady Bear recording six strikeouts over three innings. 

GAME 2 | 5-13
Game two saw the Knights recording four runs in the bottom of the first, but a Hailey Chronic single paired with an Ellie Abner two-run homerun kept the Lady Bears in the game (2-4). The bottom of the second saw multiple runs from the Knights, but an aggressive swing from Jenna O'Brien and a Cassie Boatright walk loaded the bases for TMU. A Sullivan single recorded another run for the Lady Bears, capable of lessening the playing field to 3-6. The Knights continued to press forward on offense, until the top of the fifth inning when an Abner solo home run paired with a Sullivan double and Rachel Morgan single proved TMU's final hope (5-13). 

LEADERS
Sullivan led the way perfect at the plate, going 3-3 with one RBI and one run. Abner followed, going 2-3 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs. Justine Gorton and Morgan recorded two runs apiece, while Morgan tallied one RBI. 

Pitcher Kyndall Gipson made her first appearance of the 2023 season, recording three strikeouts over three innings. 

UP NEXT
The Lady Bears will travel to compete in a three day road trip, where they will face Webber International University on Thursday, February 16 (1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.), Southeastern University on Friday, February 17 (1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.) and Warner University on Saturday, February 18 (12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.).