GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University softball team wrapped up its 2023 campaign at Red Edmonds Field on Friday (Apr. 21). Prior to first pitch, the Pioneers honored Hailey Berglof, Chloe Freischmidt, Katelynn Hodges, Hannah Hughes, Hayley Lazo, and Kallyn Newport.
TU finishes the season with a 24-25, 9-15 SAC record.
Game 1: Tusculum 4, Newberry 2
Sammy Jimenez broke the game open with a three-run homer, while the seniors came up in big moments.
Hodges laid a one-out bunt down for a single, followed by a Newport walk. Jimenez hit a loud home run over the fence in right center to break the scoreless tie. TU looked to add even more after Lazo legged out an infield single. Freischmidt reached on a throwing error for two on with two outs, but a groundout ended the threat.
Newberry tallied its first run in the sixth behind three, two-out hits.
Freischmidt launched a leadoff double to right center in the home half of the sixth. Hughes executed a sacrifice bunt to advance the catcher to third. Berglof, who started both games as the designated player, pulled a single through the left side to easily plate her fellow senior.
A single and an error put two on for the Wolves in the top of the seventh inning with only one out. Maddie McBride made a diving catch in right field foul territory for the second out. Another single scored an unearned run, but game one ended on a groundout.
Keylon Reynolds started the Johnny Wholestaff game, going two innings with two hits allowed and one strikeout. Ireland Cavanaugh (10-9) tossed three innings, walking and striking out one batter. Emily Sappington (Sv, 3) earned the save through two innings of work, surrendering five hits, two runs (one earned), and striking out a pair.
Game 2: Newberry 3, Tusculum 2
The Pioneers scraped together four hits in the nightcap, including two solo home runs.
Newberry scored twice in the first and once in the second to lead the game from start to finish, using four hits and an error.
Smeltzer broke up the no-hit bid with a home run to right center with one out in the fourth.
Jimenez led off the bottom of the sixth inning with her second home run of the day, the sixth of the rookie's career.
Cavanaugh sat down 10-straight Wolves as a reliever in the circle, ranging from the fourth to the seventh frame.
Makayla Bush (0-1) picked up the decision after 1.2 innings, relenting three runs (two earned) on four hits. Reynolds returned to pitch 1.1 frames with two hits, a walk, and a strikeout. Cavanaugh closed out the contest, throwing four more innings. The junior allowed just one hit with three strikeouts.
