4/25/19
(KINGSPORT, Tenn.) – The No. 11 Truett McConnell University softball team, No. 1-seed for the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament, dominated the opening round against No. 8 Bryan College with a mercy rule (14-2) on Wednesday.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
After the Lions scored an unearned run in the first (0-1), Briley Lawson, the AAC freshman of the year, smacked a three-run homerun in response in the bottom half to put the Lady Bears back out front for good (3-1). However, it was only up from there for TMU. The regular season champs rallied for six runs off of five hits in the bottom of the second. Macey Dunaway led off with a single to left, Jaden Morrison reached on a bunt base hit and Sara Sullivan drove them both home on a triple to deep right-center field (6-1). A hit by pitch, walk and a wild pitch allowed three more runs for the Lady Bears (9-1).
Most notable in the bottom of the third, Sullivan and Brie Levy each hit an RBI double (11-1). Two more singles and a sacrifice fly scored TMU’s final three runs to put the game out of reach (14-1).
The back-to-back pitcher of the year, Karley Hobbs, earned the win after throwing the first four innings. The sophomore allowed four hits, zero earned runs, walked none and struck out two. Junior Bethany Hyde relieved Hobbs on the mound for the final inning to allow one hit and strike out one.
LEADERS
Lawson led going perfect at the plate (2-for-2) with four RBI’s and three runs scored. Sullivan followed going 2-for-3 with three RBI’s and three runs scored while sophomore Kathrine Kozlowski went 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Dunaway also went perfect (1-for-1) with two RBI’s.
UP NEXT
TMU are set to face No. 4-seeded Brenau University Thursday, April 25, at 3:00 p.m.
