(KINGSPORT, Tenn. ) – On Tuesday, the Truett McConnell University softball team traveled to compete in the opening round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament, where the No. 4 seed Lady Bears fell in a tough loss to No. 5 Brenau University in game one (12-4), and bounced back in game two of the loser’s bracket to defeat the No. 8 seed Bryan College in a two hit shutout win, 5-0. The Lady Bears rise to an overall record of 26-17.
GAME ONE (TMU vs. BU) | 12-4 Loss
The Golden Tigers started the game off hot with three runs in the top of the first inning. The Lady Bears quickly responded in the bottom of the first with a two RBI single by Grace Folds (3-2). TMU found more action in the bottom of the third, successfully tying up the game with an RBI single by Cassie Boatright, capable of sending Rebecca Graham home (3-3). TMU scored their final run of the game in the fourth, with a ground out to shortstop by Ellie Abner able to push Folds to the plate (5-4). The Golden Tigers went on to score seven more runs, defeating the Lady Bears in a heartbreaking loss, 12-4.
LEADERS
Folds led the way for the Lady Bears going 1-2 at the plate, tallying two RBIs, one run, and a walk. Boatright followed with one run, one RBI and one walk, while Abner had one RBI. Graham and Hailey Cronic tallied one run a piece.
GAME TWO (TMU vs. BC) 5-0 Win
The first Inning saw action from TMU as a reach on a fielder’s choice by Folds followed by a passed ball gave the Lady Bears a chance to score. A sacrifice fly by Jenna O’Brien and a single to right field by Cronic, worked together to bring Folds home (1-0). TMU continued to bring the heat with a two RBI double by Boatright, capable of bring Cronic across the plate (2-0). Folds remained hot at the plate with a double to left field in the bottom of the second, bringing home two runs by Graham and Abner. TMU scored their final run of the game when a single to left field by O’Brien pushed Folds home to score (5-0). Impressive defense by the Lady Bears paired with five strikeouts from pitcher Kyleigh Sanders, kept the Lions from hitting the board, resulting in a shutout victory, 5-0.
LEADERS
Cronic led the way for the Lady Bears going 2-3 at the plate, tallying one RBI and one run. Graham followed going 2-2 with one walk, while Folds had two RBIs and two runs. O’Brien and Boatright were featured tallying one RBI a piece, while Abner had one run.
Up next, the Lady Bears remain in Kingsport for game three, where the Lady Bears are set to face the winner of game eight at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 2.
