Softball Falls in First Game of NAIA Opening Round

Indianapolis, Ind.- For the second consecutive year, the softball team played in the NAIA Softball Championship Opening Round. In the 2023 edition, the Lady Bulldogs were in the Indianapolis Bracket as the No. 4 seed. Their opening game came against the No. 1 seed and the host of the bracket, the Marian University Lady Knights.

Even though hits occurred, a true pitcher's duel happened. Each team recorded four hits in the game. Caroline Moore and Emily Mikkola each recorded hits in the first inning, but were left stranded on base. In the third inning, Destiny Painter hit a single and Mikkola hit a single to put runners on first and second. Both runners advanced a base before the third out of the inning was recorded to keep the game in a scoreless tie. Cheyenne Strong through a no-hitter through four innings. A breakthrough occurred in the sixth inning though.

Unfortunately for TWU, the opponents were the first to score in the sixth, taking a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the inning. The team was not able to extend the game with any runs, falling in the game 3-0 to drop into the elimination bracket.

Strong finished with ten strikeouts in the circle. 

The Lady Bulldogs (27-16) move into the elimination portion of the Indianapolis Bracket. The team will face the No. 2 seed in the bracket, Middle Georgia State College, at 1:30 p.m.