Pioneers blank Queens 8-0 to earn Doubleheader split

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --- Rachel Medley threw a two-hit shutout and Tusculum College tallied 10 hits in an 8-0 victory against Queens University of Charlotte in South Atlantic Conference softball action on Saturday. The Royals defeated the Pioneers 7-4 in the first contest of the doubleheader.

TC's record sits at 13-11 on the season and 3-3 in the SAC, while Queens moves to 6-20 overall and 1-3 in the conference. The Pioneers will be back in action on Wednesday afternoon when they play host to Brevard College. The twinbill is set to begin at 2 p.m. at Red Edmonds Field.

Queens struck for four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to erase a 4-3 deficit and pick up a 7-4 victory in the first game of the doubleheader. Bailey Culler hit her third homerun of the season for the Pioneers.

Evie Scott earned the win in the circle after going the distance and tallying four strikeouts. Eliza Davis (7-4) took the loss after surrendering six earned runs on 11 hits and three walks.

TC put up three runs in the top of the first inning. Carolyn Williamson hit a one-out single and later stole second. She came home to score on a Brooke Rhodes double, who reached third on a Queens' error. Rhodes didn't stay at third long as Culler came up in the next at bat and hit a two-run homer.

The Royals added solo runs in the first, third and fourth innings to tie the game at 3-3, but TC took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth. Kaytlin Stroinski singled with one out in the frame and then stole second. She came around to score on an error by Royals' first baseman Lyndey McCurry on a base hit by Williamson.

However, Queens responded with four runs in the bottom half of the inning, the big blow coming on a two-RBI single by Whitey Brit. Scott worked around a Pioneer hit in the top of the sixth before working a 1-2-3 seventh to seal the win.

Medley surrendered just two hits and the Pioneer offense capitalized on a five-run third inning to end the game after five innings in an 8-0 victory over Queens in the second game of the twinbill.

Treslyn Reese had four RBIs on two hits with one being a homerun. Alix Kruel had two RBIs and a pair of hits, while Rhodes finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored. Culler also recorded a hit and drove in a run.

Medley (5-6) earned the win with a strikeout and just two walks. Catelyn Presley (6-7) was saddled with the loss after giving up four earned runs on eight hits in just two and a third innings in the circle.

The Pioneers put up the first three runs of the game in the top of the second inning. Reese hit an RBI single that scored Culler, who reached base earlier in the frame on an error. After a Nicole Ball single, Kruel drove-in Ball and Culler with a base knock.

In the top of the third, Williamson started the frame out with a single and advanced to second on an error. She moved to third on a bunt single by Rhodes and then stole home. Rhodes scored on an RBI single by Culler before Robin Stoner reached base on a hit through the right side of the infield. Reese then stepped up to the plate and made the score 8-0 with a three-run shot.

Medley held on to the eight-run advantage after working around a single in the fourth and a walk in the fifth as the Pioneers earned the victory with the mercy rule.