Union Softball Splits Road Series with Tennessee Wesleyan

ATHENS, Tenn. – The Union Commonwealth University softball team (7-17, 2-6 AAC) split its Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader against Tennessee Wesleyan (4-9, 4-6 AAC) on Saturday afternoon in Athens, Tenn. Union won game one 9-0 in five innings before falling 7-5 in game two.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1: Union Commonwealth 9, Tennessee Wesleyan 0 (5 innings)

Union struck first in the top of the second inning in a bases-loaded situation, as Taylor Kelly delivered a single that scored Elizabeth Smith and Emma Gochenour to make it 2-0.

In the next at-bat, Kenley Vanbibber hit a triple to drive in Ryleigh Petrey and Kelly, extending the lead to 4-0. Lily Allen followed with an RBI single to push the advantage to 5-0.

Later in the inning, Allen advanced to second before Skylar Smith doubled to bring her home and make it 6-0. Smith then moved to third and stole home to extend the lead to 7-0.

Tennessee Wesleyan struggled offensively, and Union continued to apply pressure in the fourth inning when Skylar Smith hit a home run to make it 8-0.

The Bulldogs added their final run in the fifth inning as Allen recorded another RBI single, scoring Kelly to make it 9-0. The run rule was then enforced, giving Union the game one victory.

Pitching
W: Maggie Haydu (4-8): 5IP, 3H, 4SO
L: Isabella Jenkins (1-5): 2IP, 6H, 7R, 6ER, 3SO

Notable Performances

• Skylar Smith: 2-for-4, 2R, 2RBI, HR

• Taylor Kelly: 2-for-2, 2R, 2RBI

• Kenley Vanbibber: 2-for-3, R, 3RBI

Game 2: Tennessee Wesleyan 7, Union Commonwealth 5

Tennessee Wesleyan struck first in the opening inning when a sacrifice bunt brought home a run to take a 1-0 lead.

Union answered in the second inning as Taylor Kelly delivered an RBI single to score Elizabeth Smith and tie the game at 1-1. The lead was short-lived, however, as Tennessee Wesleyan responded in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI triple to make it 2-1.

Union regained the lead in the third inning when Skylar Smith hit a two-run home run to take a 3-2 advantage.

Union added to its lead in the fifth inning as Elizabeth Smith doubled to bring home Skylar Smith and Savanna Higgins, extending the margin to 5-2.

Tennessee Wesleyan rallied late, scoring five runs over the final two innings to complete the comeback and hand Union a 7-5 loss.

Pitching
W: Ashley Allen (1-0): 3IP, 2H, 3SO
L: Teryan Cloud (0-1): 0.2IP, 2H, 3R, SO

Notable Performances

• Skylar Smith: 2-for-3, 2R, 2RBI

• Elizabeth Smith: 1-for-3, R, 2RBI

• Savanna Higgins: 2-for-4, 2R

Bulldog Notes

• Game one marked Haydu's first shutout of the year.

• Allen extended her hit streak to 12 games.

• Higgins extended her hit streak to eight games.

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs return home to Union Field on Saturday, March 21 to take on Spartanburg Methodist. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m. and game two is set for 3 p.m.