Softball Splits AAC Opener Against CIU

COLUMBIA, S.C.- The softball team opened conference play with a doubleheader split on Friday. The team was on the road to face the Columbia International University Lady Rams, winning the first game of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series.

Game One:

Four runs helped the team take the first game of the doubleheader. Three of the runs were scored in the third inning.

Brooke Freeman opened the inning with a walk and was followed by Carlynn Atamaniuk with a bunt single. A wild pitch moved each runner a base before a Macy Chastain single brought Freeman across home plate. Atamaniuk scored from third on Courtney Sneed's sacrifice fly and Chastain scored the third run of the inning on an error on Bailee Phillips' hit.

The remaining run of the game for the Lady Bulldogs came across the plate in the fourth inning. Kaley Bradley, who got on base with a single and moved to second on Tatum Massengale's sacrifice bunt, stood on third after a passed ball. Bradley made the trot to home on Freeman's RBI single, helping the team cruise to a 4-2 win.

Chastain, Sneed, and Freeman all had an RBI in the win. Phillips finished with six strikeouts in the circle.

Game Two:

The second game started well for Tennessee Wesleyan as the team scored two runs in the first inning. Chastain opened the game with a single and moved to second on a Taylor Penning sacrifice bunt. The baserunner got on third after a Sneed single and scored on a ground out by Baldwin. Sneed was scored a few moments later as Bradley hit a single to give the team a 2-0 lead. 

The momentum did not stay for the Lady Bulldogs though as Columbia International scored 13 runs to invoke the run-rule and win the game 13-2.

Baldwin and Bradley both finished the game with RBIs. Isabella Jenkins had four strikeouts in the game.