CLEVELAND,  Ga. (April 13, 2023) - The Truett McConnell University softball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference rival Kentucky Christian University, inside the TMU Softball Complex, where the Lady Bears' perfect game from Kyleigh Sanders helped clinch the win in game one (10-0), followed by a strong offensive performance in game two to secure the run-rule sweep (12-4). TMU rises to a record of 28-10, 19-5 AAC, while the Knights fall to a record of 22-20, AAC.

GAME 1 | 10-0
TMU sparked the momentum early in the bottom of the first with a lead-off walk from Grace Folds and a single from Jenna O'Brien. A double from Cassie Boatright pushed the Lady Bears' first two runs across, paired with a Mattie Brooks single to add to their lead (3-0). The bottom of the second saw a single from Isabelle Sullivan and Anna Thomas capitalizing on defensive errors to move runners into scoring position. A single from O'Brien followed by a double from Kyndall Gipson continued to tack on runs for TMU (6-0), while the third inning was initiated by individual singles from Brooks and Sullivan. A fielder's choice play for Anna Thomas resulted in TMU raising the score once again (7-0). The bottom of the fourth featured a single from Briley Lawson and Gipson combined with a three-run blast from Boatright to secure the run-rule victory (10-0).

LEADERS
O'Brien led the way offensively, going 2-3 at the plate with one RBI and two runs, while Boatright was 2-3 at the plate with five RBIs and two runs. Brooks went 2-3 at the plate with one RBI and one run, while Sullivan was 2-3 with one run recorded.

Pitcher Kyleigh Sanders recorded the second perfect game in Truett McConnell softball program history, while recording five strikeouts and allowing zero baserunners, walks, hits, HBPs and errors. 

GAME 2 | 12-4
The Lady Bears carried their speed into game two with O'Brien reaching base on defensive errors paired with a Lawson two-run homerun to put TMU ahead early (2-0). A Boatright single and Brooks walk put runners in scoring position, followed by a Rachel Morgan double and Ellie Abner single to add to the score (4-0). TMU continued to rally with a single from Thomas and Folds to collect an early advantage (6-0). The Knights responded quickly with two runs on two hits, but a Lawson hit by pitch and Brooks single allowed the Lady Bears to gain ground (7-2). The top of the fourth saw the Knights cut the deficit by recording two runs on three hits, but it was no match for the Lady Bears offense (7-4). The bottom of the fourth saw the tides turn with an O'Brien single to spark the inning. A clutch two-out rally included Brooks capitalizing on defensive errors paired with stolen bases from O'Brien and Brooks, followed by a Morgan and Abner walk to push a lone run across. With runners in scoring position, a single from Sullivan combined with a triple from Thomas secured the 12-4 run-rule sweep over the Knights.

LEADERS
Thomas led the way offensively, going 2-3 at the plate with three RBIs, while Folds was 1-4 at the plate with one RBI. Lawson was seen going 1-2 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs, while Abner was 1-2 at the plate with two RBIs and one run.

Pitcher Kyndall Gipson recorded the win after collecting one strikeout over three innings. Olivia Haag's clutch pitching performance featured three strikeouts over one inning to collect the save. 

UP NEXT
The Lady Bears remain in the TMU Softball Complex on Saturday, April 15 to face Georgia Gwinnett College. Game times are set for 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.