(COLUMBUS, Ga.) – The Truett McConnell University softball team competed in the first day of the NFCA Classic in Columbus, Ga., where the Lady Bears fell in two hard-fought games against No. 22 University of the Cumberlands (2-1) and RV University of Rio Grande (7-2).
GAME 1 | 2-1
The first game against the Patriots saw both teams even in play. Cumberlands was first to hit the board in the first, but the Lady Bears did not fail to respond with an Ashleigh Lawson double to left to score Anna Thomas from first (1-1). The top of the sixth saw Kyleigh Sanders shut down the Patriots offense, but the top of the seventh proved in favor of Cumberlands as they scored the winning run, with TMU unable to respond in the bottom (1-2).
LEADERS
Mattie Brooks led the way going 2-3 at the plate, while A. Lawson went 1-2 with a single RBI. Thomas recorded a hit of her own and one run, while Sanders tallied seven on the day.
GAME 2 | 7-2
The Lady Bears gained momentum in game two, capable of earning an early lead off a Lexi Simonton RBI single to score A. Lawson from third (1-0). Rio Grande responded in the bottom of the first with three runs to steal the lead. The top of the fourth saw the Lady Bears retaliate with Rachel Morgan scoring from a misplayed ball hit by Kyndall Gipson (2-3). With hopes high going in to the bottom of the fourth, a dominating Sandstorm offense ultimately put the game out of reach after adding four more runs, leaving TMU to fall 2-7.
LEADERS
Morgan led game two going 2-3 at the plate and recording a single run, followed by Brooks who went 1-2 with two walks. Simonton and Gipson individually tallied one hit and one RBI, while Justine Kennington and Thomas had a hit apiece. Pitcher Karley Hobbs recorded a single strikeout, followed by Ellie McCloy who had a single strikeout.
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears are back in action Saturday, Feb. 26, where they will face No. 8 Indiana Wesleyan at 11:00 a.m. and Taylor University at 1:00 p.m. in day two of the NFCA Classic.
