Softball 4/10/2010 12:00:00 AM

Sweep No. 20 Union, Sit Atop TranSouth

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Trevecca Trojans (32-9, 9-1 TSAC), receiving votes in this week's NAIA softball poll, took over sole possession of first place in the TranSouth with a sweep of No. 20 Union (26-12, 6-2 TranSouth) Saturday afternoon, winning the first game 6-0 and the second game 3-2.

The Trojans have won 14 of their last 16 games. Trevecca has also hit 56 home runs as a team this year.

The first game was scoreless through the first four innings, with both teams combining for just one hit, before Lauren Baker's three-run home run broke things open for the Trojans. Breanna Zeis and Melinda Patterson, who had reached base on an error and a bunt single, respectively, scored ahead of Baker. It was the fourth homer of the year for Baker. The Trojans put three more runs on the board, courtesy of another three-run bomb, this one by Monica West, her team-leading 11th of the season. That was more than enough offense for Riley Mashburn (17-4), who allowed just one hit in seven innings, striking out six with five walks. Brooke Thomas (13-7) took the loss for Union.

Game two started off poorly for the Trojans, as a double and an error led to the Bulldogs first run of the day. But starter Lauren Baker (15-5) held Union in check from there until the Trojan offense got untracked in the fourth, plating two runs on a sacrifice fly by Monica West and a single by Melinda Patterson. Union, however, came back to tie the game in the sixth inning on an unusual play. After Baker retired the first two batters, back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases for the Bulldogs. Then, as catcher Karli Rush tried to make a pickoff throw to third base, the ball glanced off the helmet of the batter, Lindsey Landreneau, allowing Brooke Thomas to score from third, tying the game at two. That's how things remained until Kelsey Lantrip blasted the first pitch she saw in the bottom of the seventh over the centerfield fence to send the Trojans home with the sweep. It is Lantrip's 10th homer of the season.

Baker allowed six hits, but neither Bulldog run was earned; she struck out five and walked only two in earning her 15th win of the season. Keaton Kirk (11-3) took the loss for the Bulldogs.

The Trojans hit the road for a TranSouth conference doubleheader Tuesday at Freed-Hardeman (14-18, 5-5) that gets underway at 4 p.m. Â

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