(CLEVELAND) – The Truett McConnell University softball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent Bryan College inside the TMU Softball Complex, where the Lady Bears stellar pitching performance from Kyleigh Sanders secured game one (4-0), followed by an offensive rally in game two to clinch the sweep (9-0). TMU rises to a record of 26-10, 17-5 AAC, while the Lions fall to a record of 12-22, 9-11 AAC.
GAME 1 | 4-0
TMU was on the board early with back-to-back walks from Grace Folds and Jenna O’Brien paired with a sacrifice fly from Kyndall Gipson to score the Lady Bears first run of the day (1-0). Both teams were evenly matched, until a Gipson single sparked the bottom of the fourth. A fielder’s choice from Mattie Brooks put runners in scoring position, followed by a single from Hailey Cronic to add to TMU’s lead (2-0). The bottom of the fifth saw an O’Brien single to center field and Gipson double to left field to tack on another run (3-0). Cassie Boatright singled to short, while Brooks contributed a single to center to give the Lady Bears their final run and secure a 4-0 victory.
LEADERS
Gipson led the way offensively, going 2-2 at the plate with two RBIs and one run, while Cronic was 2-3 at the plate with one RBI. Brooks went 1-2 at the plate with one RBI, while Folds, O’Brien and Boatright recorded one hit apiece.
Pitcher Kyleigh Sanders recorded the win after going the distance, collecting eight strikeouts and only allowing three hits.
GAME 2 | 9-0
The Lady Bears carried their momentum into game two with Briley Lawson setting the stage with a single to center field. A double from Boatright pushed TMU’s first run across, followed by a Rachel Morgan single to add to the score (2-0). The bottom of the fourth saw the tides turn as an Anna Thomas single and O’Brien walk placed runners in scoring position, paired with a three-run blast from Lawson to raise the score (5-0). TMU continued to rally in the bottom of the fifth with singles from Morgan and Cronic to move runners into scoring position once again. A clutch single to center from Isabelle Sullivan secured the sixth run for the Lady Bears (6-0). The bottom of the sixth featured singles from O’Brien and Lawson followed by a three-run walk-off homerun from Boatright to secure the sweep (9-0), while Gipson showed her grit from the mound.
LEADERS
Lawson led the way offensively, going 4-4 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs, while Boatright went 3-4 at the plate with four RBIs and two runs. Morgan was seen going 2-3 with one RBI, while Sullivan went 1-2 at the plate with one RBI.
Pitcher Gipson went the distance, recording two strikeouts and only allowed two hits.
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears remain inside the TMU Softball Complex on Thursday, April 13 to face AAC foe, Kentucky Christian University. Game times are set for 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
