HARROGATE, Tenn. — Tusculum University softball dropped a pair of South Atlantic Conference contests at Lincoln Memorial on Tuesday (Mar. 31).
Tusculum (12-20, 2-10 SAC) makes the quick turnaround to host Converse at Red Edmonds Field on Wednesday (Apr. 1) for a 2 p.m. non-conference doubleheader.
Game 1: Lincoln Memorial 12, Tusculum 8
The Railsplitters had a late game rally to overtake the Pioneers in the series opener.
LMU hit a controversial grand slam in the bottom of the first to take the early lead.
However, Tusculum tied the game with four runs in the second. Katie Jones worked a walk and Izzy Wilson hit a bloop infield single to put two runners on with one out. Abby Hunter singled back up the middle to plate Jones, while Wilson scored on a Muriel Dillow base hit. Dillow moved up to second on a bad relay throw back in. Ellie Alvarez reached on a fielder’s choice, which allowed Hunter to score, while Dillow was able to come home on a wide throw to the plate.
Lincoln Memorial regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a double-steal and a sacrifice fly.
TU fought back for another tie at 6-6 in the third. Andrea Davis singled and moved over to third on a Jones double. Wilson reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases with one out. The bases stayed loaded after a play at the plate to cut down Davis. Dillow hit a shot back at the pitcher, which ricocheted off her glove into the outfield, scoring Jones and Wilson.
The Pioneers took their first lead of the day in the fourth inning. Ella Majchrzak legged out an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error. She moved up 60 feet on an Ava Hallows groundout. With two outs, Davis drove in Majchrzak.
Down 8-6, the Railsplitters stormed back with four runs in the fifth and two in the sixth. LMU used three extra-base hits and an error to double their score over their final two innings.
Tusculum got one run back in the seventh, but the rally fell short. Jones reached on a fielder’s choice, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and stood at the hot corner after a Hunter single. She came home on a Dillow base hit.
Aleyia Satterfield (2-9) tossed 5.1 innings, allowing 12 runs (11 unearned) on nine hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Izzy Wilson got the final two outs in relief.
Game 2: Lincoln Memorial 6, Tusculum 3
Dani Beckham pitched the first complete game of her career in a collegiate-best six innings, but LMU spoiled her efforts. At the plate, Hunter went 3-for-3, while Majchrzak drove in a pair of runs.
The Railsplitters started the nightcap with three-straight hits in the bottom of the first, which scored two runs.
Lincoln Memorial tacked on two more with a triple in the second.
The home team went up 5-0 with a RBI groundout in the fourth.
Tusculum broke through in the fifth. Hunter singled and stole second as Abby Cruz drew a walk. They both advanced on an Ellie Alvarez groundout and scored on a Majchrzak hit.
LMU’s final run came on the third single in the bottom of the fifth.
Alvarez knocked a sacrifice fly into center field to plate the final run of the contest. Izzy Wilson led off the frame with a walk, as Lily Kate Cariaco entered the pinch run. She stole second and advanced to third on a hit by Hunter. The Pioneers were able to capitalize with Alvarez’s sacrifice fly.
Beckham (0-3) went the distance, allowing six runs on 13 hits with one strikeout across 104 pitches.
