KINGSPORT, Tenn. (April 26-29) – The Truett McConnell University softball team travelled to compete in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament, where the No. 2 Lady Bears finished fourth overall after going 2-2 in the tournament. TMU was featured besting No.7 KCU (5-1) in the opening round and No. 8 Milligan in an elimination game (5-2), while suffering their first loss to No. 3 Brenau (2-6) and was eliminated by No. 1 Reinhardt (4-10), who finished runners-up.
 
Most notable, senior Justine Gorton and sophomore Rachel Morgan were named to the All-Tournament Team, while six Lady Bears earned All-Conference awards and 14 were named to the All-Academic Team.
 
TMU vs. Brenau | 2-6 Loss
The Golden Tigers were hot out of the gates in the first tinning, capable of putting up a single run to secure the lead. Kyleigh Sanders held her own on the mound, but Brenau remained persistent as they put up a second run in the third inning (0-2). Both teams were evenly matched for the next few innings, featuring sharp defensive plays on both sides. In the sixth inning, a Grace Folds single to left gave the Lady Bears the spark they needed, while Briley Lawson changed the tides with a blast over the centerfield fence to even the score (2-2). The final inning saw the Golden Tigers steal the lead once more with four runs, while TMU ultimately was unable respond as they fell to a final score of 2-6.
 
TMU vs. Milligan | 5-2 Win
The Lady Bears were not shaken after suffering their first loss, entering the match-up with Milligan firing on offense as a deep ball by Gorton clinched the first run of the game with an inside the park homerun to right field. The third inning saw the same speed as a double to left center from Morgan cleared the bases as Mattie Brooks, Jenna O'Brien and Lawson reached home (4-0). The Buffs worked to decrease the lead with a single run of their own in the fourth inning, but TMU was quick to add to their score as a Hailey Cronic RBI single score O'Brien from third (5-1). A final effort from Milligan proved not enough in the seventh inning, resulting in a 5-2 victory for the Lady Bears.
 
TMU vs. Reinhardt | 4-10
TMU was forced to work hard on defense early in the game as the Eagles bats came alive in the second and fourth inning to put up six runs (0-6). The Lady Bears were capable of stringing together hits to put runners on, but found no success as the Eagles defense remained sharp. In the bottom of the sixth, Gorton led the inning with a walk, while a perfectly placed ball by Kyndall Gipson score Gorton to put TMU on the board (1-8). Brooks followed the action with a RBI single up the middle to score Gipson, leaving the score 2-8. RU did not hesitate to respond as they added to their score, while a ball from Gipson once again scored Gorton to keep TMU in the game. O'Brien followed the action with an RBI single to right field, which ultimately was the Lady Bears final efforts as they fell to a score of 4-10.
 
Up next, the Lady Bears will wait to see their chances at the NAIA National Championships. The NAIA Softball Selection Show is set to take place on Tuesday, May 9, while the opening round of nationals is set to take place May 15^th -17^th.