GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum University softball has six games scheduled between Wednesday (Feb. 24) to Sunday (Feb. 28), including its home and South Atlantic Conference opener against Wingate.
RECAPPING THE WEEK
The Pioneers looked fresh after a long layoff, sweeping Emmanuel (Ga.) in convincing fashion, 5-1 and 8-2.
Alexis Grampp and Claire Crout led the TU offense with three hits apiece. Grampp slugged 1.167 with a double, homer, three runs scored, two walks, and a trio of runs batted in. The latter tripled, drove in a run and scored one on her way to .714 slugging percentage. Kiley Longmire scored a trio of runs, doubled, and was plunked by two pitches as well.
Emily Sappington pitched a complete game to lead off the afternoon, striking out five Lions. Savannah Foster got the start in game two, going three innings and allowing a pair of doubles. Keylon Reynolds picked up her first collegiate win in relief to finish up game two. She struck out four and gave up one unearned run. Emmanuel batters averaged .077 against the freshman.
Tusculum is ranked across the top-15 in Division II in nine statistical categories: hit by pitch (1st; 13), double plays (t-1st; 4), sacrifice flies (t-3rd; 3), doubles (t-4th; 13), double plays per game (7th; .67), doubles per game (t-9th; 2.17), total runs (12th; 34), hits (14th; 47), and shutouts (t-15th; 1).
Individually, Kiley Longmire is tied for the D2 lead with five doubles, second after being hit by three pitches, ninth in doubles per game (0.83), and tied ninth in hit by pitch per game (0.50). Delilah Malczewski and Sappington have hit just one batter each, tying them for the national lead for the least amount hit. Grampp has hit two homers, good enough to tie her for fourth, and her 0.33 home runs per game rate is 13th in the country. Foster's three starts (t-5th) and Sappington's two complete games (8th) are also among the top-10 for pitchers.
LOOKING AHEAD
North Greenville (6-4) will host TU on Wednesday (Feb. 24) for an afternoon doubleheader. The Crusaders enter on a three-game winning streak, which the Pioneers plan to end. NGU has five players batting over .300, led by Claire Gilmore's .455 average. Gilmore has 15 hits, three walks, five doubles, one homer, six RBI, and five runs scored, while slugging nearly .700. In the circle, Jaelin Griffin has seen the most work with 30.0 innings pitched. Her 5-1 record is aided by a sub-2.00 earned run average and 48 strikeouts.
Wingate (5-7) is coming off of the North Georgia Tournament, facing three top-25 teams over the weekend. The Bulldogs went 1-5, defeating No. 16 Southern Indiana 2-1 as their event opener. Heaven Maness and Haley Cashwell each have 11 hits, while the former has a team-high nine RBI. Alyssa Hall and Aubrey Reep are patient at the plate, drawing eight and six walks, respectively. Sydney Kale heads up the pitching staff with a 4-2 record and a 1.33 ERA. In 26.1 innings, she has struck out 24 batters, thrown two complete games, and earned one save.
Dubuque is set to open its 2021 season in Emory, Virginia. The Spartans will battle Brevard and host Emory & Henry on Saturday (Feb. 27). The next day will feature Tusculum and a rematch against the Wasps. Deanna Origer returns for her junior season after averaging .400 at the plate and slugging .600, with an OBP of .457. Of her 16 hits, eight were doubles. Origer also drew a pair of walks, drove in nine runs, and scored 13 times. All four of Lexi Schmidt's starts went the distance, going 3-1 with a 1.40 ERA. She led the team with 25.0 innings pitches and 22 strikeouts.
Emory & Henry (2-0) has a busy week before its meeting with the Pioneers as five games are set to take place beforehand. In the sweep of Greensboro, the Wasps were led by five hits from Alex Braun and four from Allyson Steadman. The latter has a team-best four RBI and one of two E&H homers. Kendall Varner had the other home run and scored five runs across the doubleheader. Braun and Cameron Derr each pitched a complete game, combining for 10 strikeouts.
Links to live stats and video for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through tusculumpioneers.com.
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
North Greenville is currently not permitting fans of visiting teams to attend.
Emory & Henry is not allowing any fans - home or away.
At this time, no visiting fans are permitted at any Tusculum University venue. The full TU athletic attendance policy can be found here.
