MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (April 5, 2023) - The Truett McConnell University softball team traveled to face Appalachian Athletic Conference foe Milligan University, where the Lady Bears recorded 12 hits in the game one victory (6-0), but fell in a nail-bitter in the bottom of the seventh in game two (6-7). TMU sits at a record of 24-10, 15-5 AAC, while the Buffaloes sit at a record of 17-11, 13-11 AAC. 

GAME 1 | 6-0
Both teams were evenly matched when a Mattie Brooks double to left center, followed by a Hailey Cronic single sparked TMU's momentum early (1-0). The top of the third featured an Anna Thomas and Grace Folds single, followed by a Justine Gorton hit by pitch to load the bases. A sacrifice fly from Briley Lawson added a single run to the Lady Bears' lead (2-0). A stellar pitching performance from Kyleigh Sanders kept the Buffaloes at bay when the bottom of the sixth saw a Brooks solo home run to right field (3-0). The top of the seventh was sparked by Folds capitalizing on defensive errors, paired with a Kyndall Gipson double to tack on another run (4-0). A Cassie Boatright two-run blast to right field saw TMU score their final runs to secure a 6-0 victory over the Buffaloes.

LEADERS
Cronic led the way offensively, going 4-4 at the plate with one RBI, while Brooks followed, going 3-4 at the plate with one RBI and two runs. Boatright was seen going 2-4 with two RBIs and one run while Folds, Gipson, and Thomas recorded one hit apiece. 

Pitcher Kyleigh Sanders recorded the win after going the distance, collecting five strikeouts, and only allowing two hits. 

GAME 2 | 6-7
The Lady Bears carried their momentum into game two with Gorton capitalizing on defensive errors, followed by a Lawson single. A single to left field from Boatright gave TMU an early 2-0 lead. Both teams were evenly matched and facing a pitcher's duel, when the top of the third featured a Gorton single and a Lawson two-run home run to tack onto the Lady Bears' lead (4-0). The Buffaloes recorded their first run of the day in the bottom of the third while adding on two runs off three hits in the bottom of the fourth (4-3). With the game in close reach, the Lady Bears sparked the top of the seventh with an Isabelle Sullivan single followed by a Folds single. A clutch pinch-hit single from Brooks pushed across a run, followed by Folds scoring on a wild pitch (6-3). The bottom of the seventh saw the Lady Bears meet their match, as the Buffaloes were able to spark an offensive hot streak and score four runs on five hits, leaving TMU to fall 6-7. 

LEADERS
Lawson led the way offensively, going 2-4 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs, while Boatright was 2-4 at the plate with two RBIs. Folds, Gorton, Brooks and Sullivan each recorded one hit apiece.

UP NEXT
The Lady Bears return to the TMU Softball Complex on Saturday, April 8 to face AAC opponent, Union College. Game times are set for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.