Union Softball Splits Regular-Season Finale at Bryan

DAYTON, Tenn. – The Union Commonwealth University softball team (14-34, 9-17 AAC) split its conference doubleheader with Bryan (26-21, 16-9 AAC) Saturday evening at Bryan College Softball Field, falling 13-5 in Game One before bouncing back for a 4-3 win in Game Two.

How It Happened

Game One: Bryan 13, Union Commonwealth 5 (5 innings)

Bryan struck first in the opening inning, using two RBI singles, an RBI walk and a run scored on a passed ball to take a 4-0 lead.

In the second inning, Lily Allen responded for the Bulldogs with a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 4-2.

Union took the lead in the third inning, scoring on an Emma Gochenour RBI single to make it 4-3 before taking advantage of a Bryan error that brought Elizabeth Smith and Lily Allen in and gave the Bulldogs a 5-4 advantage.

The Lions answered in the fourth inning with a seven-run frame to regain control at 11-5.

Bryan added two more runs in the fifth inning to extend its lead. Union was held scoreless in the bottom half of the inning, as the run rule was enforced to end the game at 13-5.

Pitching
W: Maddie Lee: 5IP, 4H, 5R, 3ER, 4SO
L: Maggie Haydu (5-13): 2.2IP, 6H, 7R, 5ER, SO 

Notable Performances

• Lily Allen: 1-for-2, 2RBI, 2R

• Emma Gochenour, 1-for-2, RBI

• Savanna Higgins: 1-for-3, R

Game 2: Union Commonwealth 4, Bryan 3

The Bulldogs struck first in the opening inning when Elizabeth Smith lifted a sacrifice fly to score Kenley Vanbibber. Emma Gochenour followed with an RBI single to bring in Skylar Smith and make it 2-0.

Bryan answered later in the inning with an RBI double to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Union added to its lead in the second inning as Skylar Smith delivered an RBI double to score Savanna Higgins, extending the advantage to 3-1.

In the fourth inning, Skylar Smith continued her strong performance with a sacrifice fly that brought Higgins home again, pushing the lead to 4-1.

The Lions responded in the bottom half of the inning with two RBI singles to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Union held Bryan scoreless over the final innings to secure the 4-3 victory

Pitching
W: Maggie Haydu (6-13): 7IP, 4H, 3R, 2ER, 3SO
L: KP Smith: 1.1IP, 3H, 3R, 2ER

Notable Performances

• Skylar Smith: 1-for-3, 2RBI, R

• Emma Gochenour: 2-for-3, RBI

• Kenley Vanibber: 1-for-3, R

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will await their postseason fate as they look to see if they qualify for the conference tournament.