GREENEVILLE, TN – Twenty-third ranked Tusculum used big early innings to take both games of a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader from the UVA Wise softball team Friday afternoon at Red Edmonds Field.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result Game One: Tusculum 8, UVA Wise 0
Result Game Two: Tusculum 6, UVA Wise 3
Records: UVA Wise (15-14, 1-5 SAC), #23 Tusculum (29-1, 8-0 SAC)
Location: Greeneville, TN | Red Edmonds Field
GAME ONE
- The Cavs got things going in the first inning with a leadoff inside the park home run by
Adyson Gibson on the first pitch of the game when the ball got by the fielder and Gibson's speed got her home.
- The Pioneers took the lead in the bottom of the first after a pair of RBI doubles followed by a two RBI home run by reigning SAC Pitcher of the Week Megan Ackerman.
- TU scored once again in the third and three more times in the fifth, with two of the runs coming via a two RBI double to left center by Ackerman, to take the 8-1 lead.
- The Cavs attempted a comeback in the top of the seventh inning as
Lindsey Polan doubled to center field, and after
Jessica Clark entered to pinch run Clark went to third after tagging up on a long line out to left field.
Abagail Mills then singled to score Clark, and was brought in herself two pitches later when
Mataya Ausmus hit a home run over the left center field fence. They were unable to score more and fell in game one 8-4.
- Gibson led the Cavs in the first game, going 2-4 with a run and a RBI. Polan, Mills, and Ausmus had the other hits for UVA Wise.
Olivia Shockley took the loss for the Cavs as she gave up seven runs off of eight hits, while
Savannah Paul came in in the sixth and allowed one run off of two hits.
GAME TWO
- Tusculum scored twice in the first as they used three infield singles to load the bases. They then scored on a pair of sacrifice flies to take the 2-0 lead.
- The Cavs got one run back in the top of the second when
Savannah Johnson scored from third on a wild pitch. The Pioneers scored two in the bottom of the inning to extend the lead to 4-1.
- UVA Wise cut the lead to 4-3 when
Kaylynn Baker doubled to left center field to open the third inning, followed by a home run from Polan three pitches later.
- The score stood until the bottom of the next inning when a controversial run scored for Tusculum after a throw to first went wild and went into the dugout, appearing to score a runner from third and advancing another one from second to third. The ball was blown dead immediately and after a very lengthy discussion the player at third was moved back to second but the run from the one who scored was allowed to count. The UVA Wise coaching staff protested and the rest of the game was played under the protest. Tusculum would add an insurance run in the sixth inning to make the score 6-3. Then then held on for the win.
- Baker had a big game as she was 3-4 with a run. Six other Cavs had a hit apiece.
Alivia Nolley had the loss as she gave up six runs, four earned, off of nine hits.
GETTING WISE
- For the series, Baker and Gibson each hit .429 as each went 3-7. Polan, Gibson, and Ausmus each had a home run and Polan and Ausmus had two RBI each.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will return home to face local archrival Emory & Henry Tuesday afternoon on the Bill Gatton Softball Field. The Wasps enter the contest having one of their better starts to a season as they are currently 20-10 on the season with three wins over ranked opponents, including an improbable doubleheader sweep of then-third-ranked North Georgia on Valentine's Day. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
