GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University softball team makes its final push for a bid to the South Atlantic Conference tournament during the last week of the regular season. The Pioneers host non-conference Lee on Tuesday (Apr. 19) and travel for the rescheduled series at UVA Wise (Apr. 21), closing at Newberry (Apr. 23).
RECAPPING THE WEEK
Tusculum (23-18, 10-10 SAC) split its two doubleheaders, taking game two against both Carson-Newman and Queens.
Hayley Lazo launched her first career grand slam to aid in the run-rule victory over the Royals, while Anna Alloway went 3-for-3 in the same contest. Lazo also doubled in each game of the rivalry series. Mya Maddox racked up seven hits over the four games, adding five steals and seven runs.
Ireland Cavanaugh (10-5) was outstanding on the week, picking up both wins. She allowed only one unearned run with six strikeouts in a pair of complete games. The sophomore held one of Division II's most potent offenses (Carson-Newman) to just three hits and shutout Queens with two hits relented.
As a team, Tusculum is ranked across the top-50 nationally in fielding percentage (32nd; 0.968), hit by pitch (33rd; 30), doubles (34th; 68), stolen bases (39th; 76), doubles per game (43rd; 1.66), and sacrifice flies (48th; 12).
Individually, Emily Sappington ranks third nationally in complete games (19), 25th in strikeouts (148), and 39th in starts (20). Maddox is ninth in stolen bases (33), 13th in steals per game (0.80), and 41st in hit by pitches (9). Lazo is 28th in hit by pitches (10) and 39th in per game average (0.26). Chloe Freischmidt sits 32nd with 14 doubles and averages 0.36 per game, good for 48th in Division II.
LOOKING AHEAD
Lee (23-17) is coming off of a three-game sweep of Christian Brothers at home before journeying to Greeneville. Breanna Patton leads the Flames with 49 hits in 37-of-40 games, including 13 doubles and hit by seven pitches, second-most on the team. Meanwhile, Taylor De Adder has launched eight homers and drawn 30 walks. Nyah Vogel has done the bulk of the work for Lee. Across 24 starts, she has a 14-7 record, 16 complete games, and four shutouts through 141.0 innings. She has amassed 79 strikeouts and allowed 60 earned runs, 33 walks, and 139 hits on a 2.98 ERA.
UVA Wise (16-16, 8-12 SAC) finishes the regular season with three-straight home series, including the final two as in-conference tilts. Sarah Barrett has tallied a team-best 37 hits, while Alexis Miles leads the Cavaliers with 10 home runs and 31 RBI. Kaylee Jones has been hit by 12 pitches and walked 14 times, one shy of Jenna McDermott's 15 free-passes. UVA Wise has two primary pitchers: Raychel Lapallo and McKenna Falwell. The former is 8-8 in 19 starts, 14 complete games, and one shutout on a 3.03 ERA. Through 113.1 innings, she has 49 earned runs, 29 walks, 72 strikeouts, and 123 hits. Falwell is 9-8 in 18 appearances and 12 complete games through 101.2 frames. She has 57 earned runs, 26 walks, 104 hits, and an even 100 strikeouts.
Newberry (30-16, 11-11 SAC) has lost its last four contests after being swept by Coker and Lenoir-Rhyne. The Wolves host Claflin on Tuesday before the regular season finale against the Pioneers. Mallena Wright has collected 58 hits, while Hanna Towery has notched a team-best 20 doubles, 41 RBI, 19 walks, and tied for the lead with nine homers and seven hit by pitches. Kasey Widmyer has been the Wolves' best pitcher. On a 2.39 ERA, she has an 11-4 mark across 88 innings, 16 appearances, 11 complete games, and taken part in four shutouts. Widmyer is credited with 30 earned runs, 43 walks, 84 strikeouts, and 55 hits.
Links to live stats and video, when available, for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through tusculumpioneers.com.