CLEVELAND, Ga. (March 23, 2024) - The Truett McConnell University softball team competed in an Appalachian Athletic Conference battle on Saturday, where the Lady Bears took down Columbia College in game one with a score of 1-0 and fell after forcing the game to 10 innings in game two (2-3). 

GAME ONE | 1-0

The fighting Koalas had runners in scoring position in the top of the first , but sharp pitching from Kyleigh Sanders shut down the visiting team with two consecutive strikeouts. The bottom of the second saw the Lady Bears aggressive on offense, capable of hitting the board with the only run of the day in the bottom of the third inning after a roped ball from Cassie Boatright sent Rebecca Graham home (1-0). 

LEADERS

Graham led the way going 2 for 3 at the plate, followed by Boatright who went 1 for 3 with one RBI. Sanders recorded the win after pitching seven complete innings and tallied eight strikeouts.

GAME TWO | 10 Innings 

Game two saw both teams evenly matched until the final inning when the Fighting Koalas scored the first run of the game after sending a ball over the left field fence (0-1). TMU did not back down as they evened the play in the bottom of the seventh after a Rachel Morgan RBI to deep center allowed Anslee Pitman to score (1-1). Both teams stayed even through the eighth inning, while the ninth inning saw Hailey Cronin set the pace with a single, followed by Morgan beating the throw after hitting a ball to short. Grace Folds singled over the first baseman to score Cronic (2-2), but the 10th inning proved not in favor of the Lady Bears as Columbia secured the win with a final run (2-3). 

LEADERS

Morgan led the way going 2 for 4 with one RBI, while Cronin went 1 for 4 with one run. Folds went 1 for 4 with one RBI, followed by Jenna O'Brien who went 1 for 5. 

UP NEXT

The Lady Bears host Brenau University on Thursday, March 28, with game times set for 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.