CLEVELAND, Ga. (March 14, 2024) - The Truett McConnell University softball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent Bluefield University on Thursday, where the Lady Bears secured game one after a late rally in the bottom of the sixth, but gained momentum in game two to earn their second victory of the day in dominating fashion. TMU now sits at an overall record of 10-7, 6-0 AAC.
GAME ONE | 3-2
The Rams were first to hit the board with back-to-back scoring innings, but Emme Souter sparked a hot streak for the Lady Bears with an RBI double to left field in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ellie Abner followed the action with an RBI double of her own to score Souter to close out the fourth and even the play (2-2). Sharp defensive kept Bluefield at bay, along with Kyleigh Sanders showing her grit from the mound. Jenna O'Brien ultimately captured the win for TMU in the bottom of the sixth after a ball in no man's land allowed Abner to score, making the final score 3-2.
LEADERS
Souter led the way after going 2 for 3 at the plate, along with recording a single run and a single RBI. O'Brien was seen going 1 for 2 at the plate with one RBI and two walks, while Abner went 1 for 2 with one run, one RBI and one walk. Sanders earned the win after pitching seven complete innings and tallied five strikeouts on the day.
GAME TWO | 5 Innings
The Lady Bears were on fire in game two, bringing the heat in the fourth inning after an RBI from Hailey Cronic scored Cassie Boatright. A ball hit to center field by Rachel Morgan allowed Grace Folds to score, followed by an Isabelle Sullivan RBI single that scored Morgan (3-0). TMU continued to take care of business on defense, offering the prime opportunity to capitalize on offense in the fifth inning, sparked by a Gipson RBI to score O'Brien from third. A Boatright bullet to left field scored Rebecca Graham to make the score 5-0, while a Morgan single to center field scored two more runs and a final RBI from Sullivan clinched the win (8-0).
LEADERS
Morgan led the way after going 2 for 3 at the plate, along with tallying two runs and three RBIs. Boatright went 2 for 3 at the plate with two runs and one RBI, while O'Brien went 2 for 3 with one run. Folds went 1 for 2 with two runs, followed by Sullivan who went 1 for 3 with two RBIs. Gipson earned the shutout win after pitching through five complete innings, along with tallying three strikeouts and allowing a single walk and three hits.
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears travel to compete in their first AAC match-up on the road on Sunday, where they are set to face Union College at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
