SALISBURY, N.C. --- Tusculum University softball took both games of the series over Catawba by a score of 5-1, fueled by a pair of three-run home runs by Chloe Freischmidt. Julie Huebner also collected her 200th win as a head coach, all at Tusculum.
The Pioneers led wire-to-wire on the day. The only ties were at the 0-0 mark in the first inning of both games.
Tusculum (8-8, 2-2 SAC) returns to Red Edmonds Field on Saturday (Mar. 20), hosting Coker for an afternoon doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
Game 1: Tusculum 5, Catawba 1
Emily Sappington (3-2) did not allow a run in the final six innings, while a first inning homer by Freischmidt powered the TU offense.
Anna Alloway led off the contest with an infield single, followed by Alexis Grampp's single. Freischmidt stepped to the plate with two outs and launched a pitch over the left field wall.
Catawba responded with a two-out solo homer as its lone run of the contest. The Indians had a runner on third in the third but failed to convert.
The Pioneers extended their lead with a run in the fourth inning. Hayley Lazo, Brittney Franse, and Maya Maddox notched three-straight singles to load the bases with one out. An Alloway fielder's choice resulted in Lazo being thrown out at home, but the bases were still full. Grampp patiently drew a walk to advance all runners 60 feet, scoring Franse.
Sappington and the TU defense retired the next six Catawba batters in a row.
Franse started the sixth off with a double to left field. Maddox laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to third. Alloway came through with a single to the outfield to plate Franse with ease.
The Indians led off the bottom of the seventh via a double and a fly out moved the runner to third with two outs. But Sappington added her seventh strikeout of the day to end the game.
Game 2: Tusculum 5, Catawba 1
Freischmidt added another three-run homer to the TU effort and collected four of the team's five RBI in game two. Kaitlyn Pickens picked up her second win of the season, behind four strikeouts and no walks.
Once again, the Pioneers struck in the first inning. Alloway reached on a Catawba error and Grampp advanced her to second with a single. Kiley Longmire dropped a sacrifice bunt, moving both runners up to the next base. Freischmidt grounded out to the shortstop, but Alloway was able to sneak in for the score.
Catawba's first chance to get on the board was in the third inning. A one-out double and a wild pitch put a run 60 feet away. Pickens struck the next batter out and an infield grounder enabled the Pioneers to come away unscathed.
Maddox was hit by a pitch to start the fifth and stole second shortly thereafter. Alloway grounded out, but the runner was able to advance a base. Grampp laid down a bunt for a single and the speedy Maddox was able to swipe the plate. Longmire proceeded to reach on a fielder's choice to put two on base for Freischmidt. She also hit this homer over the left field fence for a three-run shot.
Pickens struck out three of the next six batters for Catawba going into the seventh.
The Indians had one final inning to avoid being shut out. A lead-off double and consecutive ground outs accomplished the feat as the final score was 5-1.
