KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (March 26, 2023) - The Truett McConnell University softball team traveled to face Appalachian Athletic Conference member Johnson University, where the Lady Bears hot bats in game one secured an 11-1 victory, while TMU was unable to respond to the Royals pitching staff in game two (0-5). TMU sits at a record 18-8, 11-3 AAC, while the Royals sits at a record of 14-4, 9-3 AAC.

GAME 1 | 11-1
The Lady Bears were hot out of the gates with a Justine Gorton single paired with a Briley Lawson double to push TMU's first run across (1-0). A Kyndall Gipson single up the middle and Jenna O'Brien fielder's choice raised the score (2-0). A single from Cassie Boatright and back-to-back walks from Hailey Cronic and Isabelle Sullivan tacked onto to TMU's lead (4-0). The top of the second was sparked by singles from Gorton, Lawson and Gipson, combined with a Boatright double to secure the lead due to a dominant Lady Bears offense (7-0). The top of the third saw a Grace Folds single and sacrifice bunt from Gorton to put runners in scoring position. A fielder's choice from Lawson and a single from Gipson continued to add to the score (9-0). The top of the fourth saw the Lady Bears score the last of their runs with an O'Brien single, Boatright walk and Mattie Brooks single up the middle (10-0). A fielder's choice from Cronic pushed TMU's final run of the day across the plate to secure the victory over the Royals (11-0).

LEADERS
Lawson and Gipson led the way offensively, going 3-4 at the plate, both recording two RBIs where Lawson tallied two runs and Gipson tallied one run. Gorton was 2-2 at the plate with two runs, while Boatright was 2-3 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs. 

Pitcher Kyleigh Sanders recorded the win after going the distance, recording seven strikeouts and only allowing three hits. 

GAME 2 | 0-5
In game two, both teams were evenly matched due to strong performances on the mound by both teams pitchers. The first inning saw an O'Brien walk but TMU was unable to move the runner. The second and third inning saw the Lady Bears put the ball into play, but a sharp defensive from the Royals kept TMU at bay. The top of the fifth was sparked by a Rachel Morgan double, but the Lady Bears were unable to score the runner once again. The bottom of the fifth saw the Royals tack on five runs on four hits (0-5). TMU had multiple opportunities to present runs but was unable to capitalize, resulting in an 0-5 loss.

LEADERS
Morgan led the way, going 2-3 at the plate while O'Brien and Ellie Abner recorded one hit apiece.

UP NEXT
The Lady Bears remain on the road as they travel Monday, March 27 to face AAC foe Tennessee Wesleyan. Game times are set for 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.