GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University softball team halved a non-conference doubleheader with the Fairmont State Fighting Falcons on a picturesque Thursday (Mar. 14) afternoon at Red Edmonds Field.

Tusculum (13-12, 3-1 SAC) returns to conference play for eight-straight series, starting with No. 12 Wingate on Saturday (Mar. 16). First pitch from North Carolina is scheduled for 12 p.m.

Game 1: Tusculum 9, Fairmont State 5
Danielle Jason went 3-for-3 at the plate, while Claire Smeltzer tacked on three RBI as the Pioneers took game one over the Falcons.

Natalie Spaitis had to work out of first inning trouble in the circle. The freshman bookended a single with a pair of walks to load the bases with no outs. She responded with a strikeout looking and a pair of infield popups.

Jason reached on a bunt single and stole second, moving over to third on a Brooke Smith sacrifice bunt. With two outs, she was able to score unearned as Gabi Nicholson reached on a missed catch in the outfield.

Spaitis worked out of a bases-loaded jam again in the second to hold the Falcons at bay. However, she could not wiggle her way out in the third as three runs scored as four-straight batters reached.

Tusculum had its pitchers' back, plating six in the bottom half of the frame. Abby Hunter launched a leadoff triple, scoring on Jason's infield single. She moved up to second on an error and stole third. Smith was plunked by a pitch and stole second as two runners were now in scoring position. Smeltzer cleared the bases with a two RBI triple, with Nicholson following with a home run. After a Fairmont State pitching change, Sammy Jimenez launched a solo shot over the fence in center field.

FSU closed the gap with a pair of runs in the fourth inning, including a solo home run that hit the top of the foul pole down the left field line. The Falcons also loaded the bases with two outs. One run scored on a hit, but the second runner was caught at home in a rundown.

Smeltzer got one of the runs back in the bottom half of the frame on a RBI double, plating Smith, who scored from first.

Tusculum scored once more in the fifth. With two outs, Riley Hope drew a walk and scored on a Hunter double.

TU used three pitchers in the opener: Spaitis, Ireland Cavanaugh, and Emily Sappington. Spaitis tossed the first 2.2 frames, allowing three runs on seven hits with three walks and a pair of strikeouts. Cavanaugh (4-5) picked up the win in relief, going 1.1 innings, relenting two runs (one earned) on three hits, a walk, and a strikeout. Sappington earned her second save of the season and program-record eighth of her career. She finished out the last three innings with only one hit and one walk to five K's.

Game 2: Fairmont State 8, Tusculum 3
A seven-run inning for the Falcons spoiled the Pioneers' chance at a sweep. Jason (3), Smeltzer (3), and Madison Watts (2) each collected multiple hits in the affair.

Fairmont State loaded the bases with no outs to start the contest with a pair of hits and a walk. A fielder's choice cut down the runner at the plate and a defensive gem by Alyssa Barbrick resulted in a double play as the Pioneers escaped unscathed.

At the plate, Smeltzer continued where she left off in game one, as did Jason. The latter led off with a bloop double on the left field line, advancing on a throwing error. Smeltzer doubled her teammate in for the game's first run.

The Falcons tied the game as a runner scored on a wild pitch in the second. The play before featured the rocket arm of Smeltzer in left as the catcher Watts had ample time to tag a runner out on the way home.

Softball broke out in the fourth as FSU used five hits and two TU fielding errors to tally seven runs. The Falcons recorded a two-run homer, a bases-clearing double, and a sacrifice fly as part of their scoring plays.

The Pioneers added a run in both the fifth and the sixth to finalize the scoring. A two-out single by Watts plated Smeltzer from second, while in the sixth, Smeltzer notched a sacrifice fly to bring Hunter home.

Tusculum used its remaining three rostered pitchers in the nightcap: Keylon Reynolds, Nyah Vogel, and Makayla Bush. Reynolds (0-2) got through 3.1 innings in the start, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits with two walks and a strikeout. Vogel entered in relief for 2.2 frames as four runs (two earned) scored on four hits, two walks, and a strikeout. Bush closed the book with one inning of action, relenting one hit and one walk.