WISE, Va. --- Anna Alloway became Tusculum University softball's all-time home run leader in Thursday's (Apr. 21) doubleheader sweep at UVA Wise, breaking the 15 year-old mark set by Brie Griffin in 2007.
Tusculum (26-19, 12-10 SAC) wraps up the regular season at Newberry on Saturday (Apr. 23) vying for a spot in the SAC Tournament. Game one between the Pioneers and Wolves is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Game 1: Tusculum 4, UVA Wise 0
Emily Sappington pitched a gem, aided by her catcher Chloe Freischmidt's 2-for-3 outing and Anna Alloway's two RBI. The Cavaliers racked up six errors to facilitate a pair of unearned runs for TU.
Mya Maddox led off the contest with a first-pitch infield single, quickly stealing second. Kallyn Newport's at-bat created chaos. She reached on a fielding error by the shortstop, ending up at third on a throwing error by the centerfielder, which allowed Maddox to race home. Alloway skied a sacrifice fly to left field to bring in Newport.
Tusculum added two more in the third to extend its lead. Hayley Lazo hit a single back up the middle as Freischmidt stepped in. She singled to right and advanced to second, while Lazo was able to score on a throwing error by the outfielder. Alloway followed with a single through the right side, moving up a base on a fielding error, and Freischmidt scored.
UVA Wise had its first runner in scoring position in the fourth, preceding a player standing on third in the fifth. The Cavaliers were unable to capitalize in either inning.
Sappington (11-10) pitched her fifth shutout of the season in her 20th complete game. Across 108 pitches, the left-hander relented five hits and one walk to seven strikeouts.
Game 2: Tusculum 8, UVA Wise 1
Alloway led off the third inning with her program record 30th career home run to the elation of the dugout. Of the Pioneers' nine batters, eight notched at least one hit, including four with a multi-hit effort. Ireland Cavanaugh continued to be lights out in the circle.
The Cavaliers' lone run was a lead-off home run.
Tusculum responded with eight unanswered to finish out the sweep, highlighted by a five-run second inning.
Alloway drew a four-pitch walk, advancing 60 feet on the Sappington groundout. With two outs, Hannah Hughes singled through the right side to drive in her teammate. Alyssa Suits singled to put runners on first and second for Katelynn Hodges. She hit a shot back up the middle to advance Suits to second and score Hughes. Maddox tapped a pitch and legged out a hit to load the bases. Newport hit a one-bagger off of the pitcher's glove to move everyone up a base. Lazo knocked a pop-up to second base, but it was mishandled, allowing two more to score unearned.
The final two Tusculum runs were tacked on in the fourth. Maddox and Newport hustled out back-to-back triples, followed by a squeeze bunt from Lazo to score Newport.
Cavanaugh (12-5) tossed her eighth complete game on only 105 pitches. She surrendered a four hits, while tying her career-best eight strikeouts.
