GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — The Tusculum University softball team rallied to move to 14-0 at Red Edmonds Field in 2025, the best home record in program history, after sweeping Anderson on Alumni Day.
Tusculum (25-1, 4-0 SAC) is set to play its first road conference series on Wednesday (Mar. 12) at Limestone. First pitch between the Pioneers and Saints is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Game 1: Tusculum 5, Anderson 0
The Pioneers took advantage of an error-plague Trojan infield behind a near perfect performance by Megan Ackerman in the circle.
TU got on the board with a RBI double by Alyssa Barbrick. Sammy Jimenez singled back up the middle to leadoff the second inning. Ackerman reached on an error to send Barbrick to the plate. She pulled a double down the third base line to score Jimenez.
Abby Hunter cued up a double to left center to kick off the third. Danielle Jason laid down a sacrifice bunt to move her to third. Brooke Smith reached on an error as the throw ricochet off of her and Hunter scored. Ellie Alvarez reached on a fielder’s choice and Smith advanced to third on a throwing error. Alvarez stole second to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Jimenez launched a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Smith to score. Alvarez was able to score soon after as an errant return toss by the catcher missed the pitcher.
The Pioneers’ final run came in the fourth. Ackerman drew a leadoff walk with Emma Golden entering to pinch run. Barbrick singled up the middle as Katie Jones came in to run. Caylen Conrad laid down a picture-perfect bunt to load the bases with no outs. Golden was able to score on a wild pitch.
Nine of the next 10 AU batters were retired in order.
Ackerman (11-1) pitched a complete game shutout of the Trojans, allowing just two hits to five strikeouts.
Game 2: Tusculum 6, Anderson 5
The Pioneers rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the bottom of the sixth to keep their perfect SAC start intact.
Anderson put Tusculum in a 3-0 hole to begin the second game. The Trojans loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the first but only scratched one run across. They added two in the fourth with one coming on an error, followed by a two-out single.
TU’s comeback effort started in the bottom of the fourth. Smith and Alvarez bunted for singles with Smith racing to third on the latter’s attempt. Jimenez grounded out but Smith was able to score on the play.
AU added two in the fifth to put the Pioneers down 5-1. Three of the first four Trojans of the inning doubled to plate a pair.
Tusculum used five hits and an error to complete the come from behind victory. Addison Hoffner led off with a pinch-hit double with Hunter returning to run. Jason and Smith legged out back-to-back bunt singles to load the bases with no outs. Alvarez singled in Hunter and Jimenez launched her second sacrifice fly of the series. Gabi Nicholson singled to right to force an AU pitching change. Nicholson advanced to second to put a pair of Pioneers in scoring position with only one out down 5-4. Alvarez scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. On the same play, with Nicholson going to third on the wild pitch, an errant toss to get Alvarez at the plate went wide, allowing Nicholson to slide home safely for the lead.
After a dominant first game, Ackerman was inserted for the save in the top of the seventh, striking out the final two batters of the contest.
Natalie Spaitis tossed the first three frames, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Dani Beckham (4-0) pitched the next three innings, surrendering two runs on four hits with one strikeout. Ackerman (Sv, 3) threw the seventh inning, needing just 13 pitches for two strikeouts and the save.
