JACKSON, Tenn. – The Trevecca Nazarene University softball team (11-5) split a pair of games at Union University (13-5) on Tuesday at Fesmire Field. Union took game one 1-0, but the Trojans rallied with five runs in the seventh to force extra innings, then won 9-8 with a run in the eighth inning.
The Trojans have a 10-6 edge against the Bulldogs in the NCAA Division II era. Next year the series will be a part of the Gulf South Conference schedule for both teams. In winning the first game of the double header, Union broke the Trojans six game win streak in the series.
HOW IT HAPPENED
GM 1: UU 1, TNU 0 - F
The Bulldogs scored a run in their half of the first inning and made it stand up. Lainey Baker (5-2) pitched the two-hit shutout, silencing the Trojan bats with nine strikeouts.
CIRCLE AND BOX NOTES
Lainey Baker faced just four over the minimum, allowing two hits, one runner reached on by error, and one Trojan reached on a hit-by-pitch
Ashlan Sensing (5-3) was nearly as good, allowing just six hits, no walks, and one unearned run while striking out four Bulldogs.
Anna Bennett hit a triple.
GM 2: TNU 9, UU 8 – F (8)
Union jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a two-run first, Trevecca tied it with two runs in the top of the second. Union pushed across two runs in the third and fourth innings for a 6-2 lead. TNU added a run in the fifth, but Union clapped back with their fourth two-run inning in the sixth for a commanding 8-3 lead. Down to their last at bat, Trevecca scored five in the seventh to push the game to extra innings. In the eighth, TNU scored a run and then held UU scoreless for the dramatic come from behind win.
With one out in the seventh,
Raegan Hunter drew a walk to force in a run, but the Trojans were still down four.
Anna Bennett singled to center, driving in two runs. A batter later and now two outs,
Kendall Andrews blasted a triple to drive in two runs, tying the game at 8-8.
In the eighth, the Trojans scored the winning run on a passed ball. But, the Bulldogs actually almost got out of the inning, they gunned down
Annabelle Ellis trying to score for the second out of the inning. But,
Kyleigh Burgett was able to score on a passed ball.
CIRCLE AND BOX NOTES
Alex Behnke (3-0) got the win in relief, going three innings of shutout softball.
Kendall Andrews hit another triple and had a stolen base while going 2-3 at the plate with a walk and two RBI.
Anna Bennett was 1-5 with a stolen base, a run scored, and two RBI.
Union outhit Trevecca 19-12 across the two games.
NEXT ON THE DIAMOND
It's off to the PFX Spring Games in Winter Haven, Florida for the Trojans. Get a full look at their schedule in Florida on the
team schedule page. They begin play on Monday, March 4 and their last game in the Sunshine State is Friday, March 8.
The Trojans open Great Midwest play on the road with a pair of games at Ashland University (March 15) and Ohio Dominican University (March 16).
After a trip to future Gulf South foe Lee University (March 20), the Trojans host Lake Erie (March 22) and Ursuline (March 23) for their first home conference games of the year.
