SALISBURY, N.C. — The Tusculum University softball team split a Saturday doubleheader at Catawba by shutout, followed by a run-rule victory.
Tusculum (31-7, 10-6 SAC) makes the quick trip up the mountain to take on Mars Hill on Tuesday (Apr. 1). First pitch between the Pioneers and Lions is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Game 1: #17 Tusculum 5, Catawba 0
Megan Ackerman tossed a complete game shutout in the opener as the Pioneers homered twice to back up the pitcher.
Danielle Jason led off the contest with a single through the left side, quickly stealing second. Sammy Jimenez drove a two-out single to center to plate Jason.
Abby Hunter singled back up the middle to kick off the third frame and was bunted over by Jason. Brooke Smith singled her over and stole second. Ellie Alvarez belted a three-run homer down the left field line to stretch the TU lead to 4-0.
Ella Majchrzak launched a home run to left with one out in the sixth to finalize the scoring.
Ackerman (15-3) scattered four hits throughout the seven innings, striking out six batters.
Game 2: Catawba 12, #17 Tusculum 4 (6 innings)
The Catawba Indians scored at least one run in all six frames before a walk-off blast capped off the run-rule victory.
Tusculum got on the board first in the second game. Jason singled through the left side, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error. Smith singled to left to score Jason with ease.
Catawba responded with three runs on four hits in the bottom half of the first inning, followed by a sacrifice fly in the second.
Hunter drew a lead off walk in the third and was bunted over by Jason. Smith and Alvarez notched back-to-back singles to load the bases with one out. Jimenez was plunked to score Hunter from third.
Catawba tacked on two more in the third behind a solo homer and another sacrifice fly to lead 6-2.
Hunter hit her own sacrifice fly in the fourth. Hoffner was hit by a pitch as the inning’s first batter as Katie Jones entered to pinch run. She stole second and moved up to third on a throwing error. Jones scored on Hunter’s flyball to center.
The Catawba Indians countered with a leadoff homer in the home half of the inning.
Tusculum’s final run came in the fifth frame. Alvarez and Jimenez drew consecutive walks with Riley Hope legging out a pinch-hit single to load the bases with one out. Hoffner grounded out, but Alvarez was able to score.
Catawba scored five more runs in the last two innings, highlighted by a three-run game-ending homer.
Dani Beckham (6-1) was tagged with her first loss as a Pioneer. She allowed four runs on five hits in her lone inning of work, with a strikeout. Natalie Spaitis tossed three innings, surrendering four runs (three earned) across seven hits, two walks, and one strikeout. Ackerman returned to pitch the final 1.2 innings, allowing four runs on three hits with a pair of walks.
