Union Softball Splits Series With Montreat

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. – The Union Commonwealth University softball team (11-27, 6-14 AAC) split its conference doubleheader against Montreat (13-21, 5-15 AAC) Saturday night at Roxy Hines Softball Field, earning a 3-2 win in Game One before falling 5-4 in Game Two.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1: Union Commonwealth 3, Montreat 2

Through the first three innings, neither team managed a hit that produced a run.

The Bulldogs broke through in the fourth inning when Kenley Vanbibber lifted a sacrifice fly to score Hayden Keirsey and take a 1-0 lead.

Montreat responded in the bottom half of the inning, capitalizing on a Union error to tie the game at 1-1 before a double brought in the go-ahead run to make it 2-1.

In the seventh inning, Union answered as Tori Turner singled to right field, driving in Savanna Higgins and Ryleigh Petrey to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead.

Montreat was unable to respond in the bottom of the inning, as Union secured the 3-2 victory.

Pitching
W: Taylor Sain (5-7): 7IP, 8H, 2R, 2ER, 3SO
L: Lauryn Bishop (1-6): 7IP, 4H, 3R, 2ER, 4SO

Notable Performances

• Tori Turner: 1-for-4, 2RBI

• Kenley Vanbibber: 1-for-1, RBI

• Savanna Higgins: 1-for-4, R

Game 2: Montreat 5, Union Commonwealth 4

The Cavaliers struck first in the opening inning, using two singles and a double to score three runs and take a 3-0 lead.

Union responded in the third inning when Lily Allen recorded a sac fly to bring in Higgins, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

In the fourth inning, the Bulldogs continued to chip away as Tori Turner singled to left field, driving in Kinsley Redmon to make it 3-2.

Union took the lead in the sixth inning when Skylar Smith singled through the left side, scoring Higgins and Taylor Kelly to give the Bulldogs a 4-3 advantage.

Montreat answered in the seventh inning with an RBI double to tie the game at 4-4 before walking it off with a sac fly to secure a 5-4 victory.

Pitching
W: Daniell Robinson (1-0): 3IP, 5H, 2R
L: Taylor Sain (5-8):6.1IP, 7H, 2R, 2ER, SO

Notable Performances

• Skylar Smith: 2-for-3, 2RBI

• Tori Turner: 1-for-2, RBI

• Kenley Vanbibber: 3-for-4

Bulldog Notes

• Higgins and Redmon extended their hitting streak to four games.

• Turner has a hitting streak of three games.

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs conclude their three-game road stretch and travel to the UC Softball Complex in Williamsburg, Ky., to face No. 20 Cumberlands on Tuesday, April 7. First pitch is set for 4 p.m., with Game Two scheduled for 6 p.m.