GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum University softball is scheduled to play three South Atlantic Conference series over a five day span. The Pioneers will suit up at Lenoir-Rhyne on Monday (Mar. 29), host Wingate on Thursday (Apr. 1), and travel to Limestone on Friday (Apr. 2).
RECAPPING THE WEEK
The Pioneers (10-10, 4-4 SAC) split last weekend's doubleheaders against Coker and Mars Hill, including a shutout and an 11-inning thriller.
In the stifling of Coker, Emily Sappington allowed just two hits in the circle, while collecting a pair of RBI and hits. She brought a perfect game into the sixth and a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Chloe Freischmidt drove in the first run of the game on a double, scoring Alexis Grampp.
The 11 inning marathon at Mars Hill was a game of home runs versus small-ball. The Lions drilled two solo home runs to lead going into the sixth. Anna Alloway doubled, Grampp drove her in, and Freischmidt continued the carousel to tie it up. Both teams threatened and each scored in the 10th to remain deadlocked. Freischmidt was bunted to third by Kiley Longmire and Sappington brought home the eventual winning run via a single. The pitcher also was credited with her first collegiate save, coming in to relieve Kaitlyn Pickens after 10.1 innings.
As a team, Tusculum is ranked across the top-20 in four NCAA statistical categories: double plays (2nd; 12), sacrifice bunts (8th; 20), double plays per game (9th; 0.60), and hit by pitch (12th; 23). Individually, Sappington is tied for the Division II lead in least amount of batters hit with one.
LOOKING AHEAD
Lenoir-Rhyne (15-7, 11-5 SAC) hosts TU to open the week as part of a four-series home stand. Kylee Leonhardt is batting .429 while slugging .870, totaling 33 hits, 26 runs scored, eight doubles, eight home runs (7th nationally), 27 RBI (13th in DII), and 11 walks. Lauren Rakes has pitched the most for the Bears with 67.1 innings and five complete games, collecting a 6-3 record on a 2.60 ERA. She has net 87 strikeouts (8th in the NCAA), 25 walks, and 25 earned runs.
Wingate (13-11, 6-4 SAC) has a packed week of its own with three SAC doubleheaders over four days, including the Pioneers on April Fool's Day. Heaven Maness has played in 20-of-24 games for the Bulldogs, but has been the biggest offensive performer. She is averaging .460 at the plate, totaling 29 hits, 23 RBI, 17 runs scored, six doubles, four homers, and four walks. A dual threat, Aubrey Reep has 17 hits (six for extra bases), 13 RBI (2nd-most on the team), and 11 walks. In the circle, she has pitched a team-leading 47.1 innings for a 4-2 record and 2.22 ERA, compiling 49 strikeouts, 18 walks, and 15 earned runs.
Limestone (13-15, 5-9 SAC) will travel to Wingate before hosting the Pioneers. Vic Brewington leads the Saints offense on a .427 batting average with 35 hits (7th in DII), six doubles, three triples, six homers, 28 RBI (11th nationally), and 10 walks drawn. Haley White heads up the pitching staff with 87.2 innings pitched on a 2.87 ERA. She has an 8-5 record in 15 appearances (15th in the NCAA) with 11 complete games (3rd in the country), alongside 76 strikeouts, 29 walks, and 36 earned runs.
Links to live stats and video for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through tusculumpioneers.com.
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Lenoir-Rhyne is not allowing visiting fans at any LR home event this spring.
Limestone is currently not permitting fans or parents of visiting teams to attend select sports, including softball.
At this time, no fans of visiting teams are permitted at any Tusculum University venue. The full TU athletic attendance policy can be found here.