CLEVELAND, Ga. (April 21, 2023) - The Truett McConnell University softball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference rival Union College for their final match-up of the regular season. The Lady Bears were seen recording nine runs on 11 hits in game one (9-0) while carrying the momentum into game two to secure the sweep over the Bulldogs (6-0). TMU rises to a record of 33-11, 23-5 AAC, while the Bulldogs fall to a record of 9-30, 8-20 AAC.
GAME 1 | 9-0
In game one, both teams were evenly matched until a Kyndall Gipson single sparked the Lady Bears' momentum. A Cassie Boatright sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position, where a single from Jenna O'Brien pushed TMU's first run across (1-0). An electric third inning featured a Grace Folds single paired with a Justine Gorton walk to put runners on the corner. A three-run blast to center field from Gipson raised the Lady Bears' score to 4-0. The bottom of the fourth saw back-to-back doubles from O'Brien and Mattie Brooks followed by a Folds single to tack on more runs (6-0). The bottom of the fifth was initiated by a solo shot from Briley Lawson followed by a single from Gipson and a double from Boatright to move runners into scoring position once again (7-0). An Isabella Sullivan single to center field forced the run rule, giving TMU the game one victory (9-0).
LEADERS
Gipson led the way, going 3-3 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs while Folds was 2-3 with one RBI and one run. O'Brien was seen going 2-2 at the plate with one RBI and two runs while Sullivan was 1-3 with two RBIs.
Pitcher Sanders went the distance and recorded a no-hitter while tallying five strikeouts.
GAME 2 | 6-0
The Lady Bears continued their momentum with a walk from Folds followed by a sacrifice bunt from Gorton and Lawson's single to move runners into scoring position. A well-placed ball from Boatright and clutch Rachel Morgan single saw TMU on the board early (3-0). Both teams were evenly matched in play until a Gorton walk and Lawson hit by pitch put runners on in the bottom of the fifth. An O'Brien single to right and Morgan single to center saw the Lady Bears record their final run of the day (6-0). A stellar pitching performance from Gipson kept the Bulldogs scoreless as TMU secures the 6-0 victory.
LEADERS
Morgan led the way, going 3-3 at the plate with four RBIs while Folds was 2-3 at the plate with one run. Hailey Cronic was seen going 2-3 at the plate while O'Brien was 1-3 with one RBI and two runs.
Pitcher Kyndall Gipson went the distance, recording four strikeouts and only allowing three hits.
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears hit the road to compete in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament in Kingsport, Tenn. TMU will face Kentucky Christian University on Wednesday, April 26th. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.
