Softball Falls in Opening Round Game Against St. Francis

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky.- The softball team played a game in the NAIA Softball Championship Tournament Opening Round for the third consecutive season. The 2024 edition, which started on Monday, saw Tennessee Wesleyan play in the Williamsburg Bracket as the No. 4 seed. The team's first game was against the No. 5 seed in the bracket, the St. Francis University. 

The game did not start how the team had envisioned. St. Francis took the first lead of the game in the top of the first inning. Courtney Sneed got on base with a single in the bottom of the first inning, but was not able to return to home plate. 

In the top of the second inning, the opponents added another run to their lead. Macy Chastain recorded a hit in the bottom of the third, but the score remained 2-0 as the inning ended before a run could score for the Lady Bulldogs. 

The bottom of the sixth inning saw a chance for TWU to tie the game. Carlynn Atamaniuk hit a bunt single to get on first. Chastain became the game-tying run by getting on first via a walk. Three straight outs were recorded before the team could bring a run home. 

The seventh inning saw two runs scored. One of the runs were scored by St. Francis. The remaining run came off the bat of Bailee Phillips, a solo home run to make the final score 3-1 in favor of St. Francis.

The Lady Bulldogs (27-14) move to the elimination portion of the Williamsburg Bracket. The team's first win or go home game is on Tuesday against No. 3 seed College of Coastal Georgia at 10:00 a.m.