DUNCAN, S.C. --- The Tusculum University softball team has run its winning streak up to four games after its sweep of Converse on Friday (Mar. 24). The TU pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts, relenting seven hits, across 12 innings of work.
Tusculum (17-16, 4-8 SAC) returns to South Atlantic Conference action on Sunday (Mar. 26) as the Pioneers host #19 Wingate (29-8, 9-3 SAC) for a 12 p.m. doubleheader.
Game 1: Tusculum 5, Converse 1
A three-run inning provided the necessary insurance to open the twin bill with a Tusculum victory.
The Valkyries took an early lead with consecutive hits to the outfield for their only run of the contest.
The Pioneers responded with four-straight hits to begin the second frame. Hayley Lazo and Hannah Hughes launched back-to-back doubles to get the scoring started. Maddie McBride and Chloe Freischmidt strung together singles to score Hughes. After Ireland Cavanaugh, batting for herself for the first time this season, reached on a fielder's choice, McBride was out at third. However, Freischmidt scored an unearned run as Katelynn Hodges reached on an infield error.
Converse threatened in the fourth behind TU's two errors in the contest. With two runners in scoring position with two outs, Cavanaugh got the final out via a swinging strike.
Tusculum had the bases loaded with two outs in the fifth, but no runners crossed the plate. Claire Smeltzer singled and advanced on a groundout. She moved up 60 more feet after Hughes reached on an error. Madison Watts drew a pinch-hit walk as the final baserunner.
The Pioneers added their final two runs in the top of the sixth. Cavanaugh knocked a leadoff double toward left center, followed by a bunt single from Hodges to put runners on the corners. Hodges stole second before Kallyn Newport drilled a two RBI double.
Converse led off the seventh with a bunt single, but Cavanaugh struck the next three batters out to seal the win.
Cavanaugh (7-6) tossed her sixth complete game of the season on 80 pitches. The junior struck out nine, one off of her career-high, allowing five hits and one run.
Game 2: Tusculum 10, Converse 0 (5 inns.)
Newport led the way with three hits in four at bats with a pair of steals. Kylie Darrow knocked in three runs on two hits as well. Tusculum scored at least one run in the final four frames, highlighted by a five-run outburst in the fourth.
The Pioneers had the bases loaded with two outs in the first inning, the lone inning in which they did not score. Smeltzer singled, while Lazo reached on an error. The pair pulled off a double steal, followed by a Watts walk. Converse escaped with a fielder's choice forceout at home plate.
Hodges reached on a fielder's choice and was driven on the next play by a double from Newport. The bases were loaded again with back-to-back walks by Sammy Jimenez and Smeltzer. For the second-straight inning, the Valkyries were bailed out by a fielder's choice.
Watts singled to center to start the third with Italia Kyle entering to pinch run. Hughes singled to advance Kyle to scoring position. Darrow reached on an error, with Kyle able to touch home on the play.
Tusculum exploded for five runs in the fourth. Newport singled and stole second, bringing Jimenez up to the plate. With her team-leading fifth triple of the season, Jimenez drove in Newport. Smeltzer walked, while Lazo raced out an infield single and Jimenez scored. Watts walked to load the bases, while Hughes recorded a sacrifice fly for the first out. Darrow also notched a base hit to drive in a run. Hodges reached on an error with Watts plating the fifth run of the frame.
To put the run-rule into effect, Tusculum scored three runs on six hits in the top of the fifth. Smeltzer doubled and advanced 60 feet on a wild pitch. Lazo drove her in on a double to right center and moved up on a fly out. Hughes, McBride, and Darrow recorded hits to drive in the final pair of scores.
Keylon Reynolds (3-2) picked up the complete game shutout, allowing just two hits with three strikeouts. She only faced 17 batters in the contest, with 15 being the minimum.
