GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — The Tusculum University softball team split a doubleheader against Lees-McRae on Tuesday (Feb. 27) afternoon.
Tusculum (9-8) continues non-conference play against nearby King on Thursday (Feb. 29). First pitch from Bristol is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Game 1: Tusculum 10, Lees-McRae 1 (5 innings)
The Pioneers scored eight runs in the fifth to run-rule the Bobcats in game one of the afternoon, using a trio of long balls.
Lees-McRae got on the board first after a misplayed fly ball scored a runner from second.
Brooke Smith immediately tied the game for TU with a leadoff solo shot in the bottom of the first inning.
The Pioneers tacked on another run in the fourth. Claire Smeltzer singled to left and Caylen Conrad entered to pinch run. She advanced to third on Gabi Nicholson‘s single through the right side. Maddie McBride hit a sacrifice fly to right as Conrad pulled TU ahead.
Tusculum used six hits and an error to score eight runs in the fifth. Alyssa Barbrick walked to lead off the frame, with Kylie Darrow pinch running. She moved up on a wild pitch. Danielle Jason doubled with one out to score Darrow for the Pioneers’ third run of the contest. A bunt single and a throwing error put Smith at second and Jason crossing home. Sammy Jimenez drew a walk to bring up Smeltzer, who launched her fourth home run of the season. Nicholson and McBride knocked consecutive singles and Riley Hope entered to run for the lead runner. Ellie Alvarez‘s three-run homer ended the game via run-rule.
Emily Sappington (3-2) pitched a complete game, relenting two hits, one unearned run, and two walks with six strikeouts.
Game 2: Lees-McRae 6, Tusculum 4
The Bobcats scored six unanswered runs to salvage a split at Red Edmonds Field.
All four of TU’s runs came in a single frame. With two outs in the third, the Pioneers went to work. Smith walked and stole second. She scored on a Jimenez single back up the middle. Smeltzer followed with a walk, while Nicholson homered to right center to clear the bases. Tusculum loaded the bases via walks but was unable to convert.
Lees-McRae recovered three runs in the fourth on three hits and two errors, while gaining the lead with a two-run double in the fifth. The final score came in the seventh with a bases-loaded hit by pitch.
Ireland Cavanaugh pitched the game’s first three frames, allowing two hits, three runs (one earned), one walk, and four strikeouts. Natalie Spaitis (2-2) entered in relief and received the loss. She also pitched three innings, relenting four hits, two earned runs, and three strikeouts. Nyah Vogel pitched the final inning as she gave up two hits, one earned run, and a walk.
