ALBERTVILLE, Ala. – The Trevecca Nazarene University softball team (1-1) launched its 2024 season, a day earlier than previously announced in attempt to dodge weather later this weekend, at the University of Alabama Huntsville Charger Chillout at the Sand Mountain Park.
The new look Trojans lost 9-1 in their opener to No. 24 (NFCA Preseason Top 25) Mississippi College (6-0). It is the first meeting for the soon to be Gulf South Conference foes, the Choctaws are picked second in the 2024 Gulf South Preseason Coaches' Poll after finishing second in the GSC last season.
The news is better from the second game on Thursday, the Trojans rallied to beat the University of Montevallo 8-7. The Falcons (1-5) are also in the Gulf South and a future conference foe for the Trojans. They and are picked to finish eighth in the Gulf South this year. UM finished sixth in the GSC last year.
GM 1: HOW IT HAPPENED
TNU 1, No. 24 Mississippi College 9 (6 inning) - F
The Choctaws opened the game with a two-run third, but the Trojans returned fire with a run in the third following a
Kendall Andrews RBI triple that scored
Sarah Nicholson. The score remained 2-1 MC until the fifth when the Choctaws added three runs for a 5-1 lead. In the sixth, MC added four runs forcing the run rule in to play.
CIRCLE AND BOX NOTES
The Trojans were limited to four hits while playing their first game of the year against a nationally ranked team playing their fifth. The triple by
Kendall Andrews was the only extra base hit.
Sarah Nicholson, who reached on a walk, stole second to get in scoring position on the Andrews triple.
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Ashlan Sensing (0-1) took the loss, going four innings and allowing four runs on six hits while sitting down eight on strikes.
GM 2: HOW IT HAPPENED
TNU 8, University of Montevallo 7 - F
Trevecca fell behind 7-2, before rallying in the bottom of the fifth.
Anna Bennett went yard, no small task on the deep fields at Sand Mountain, to get the Trojans in the board in the first after the Falcons had plated two in the top of the first. UM added a run in the second for a 3-1 lead.
Anna Bennett scored again in the third on a sac fly by
Kendall Andrews for a 3-2 Montevallo lead. The Falcons added two runs in the fourth and fifth, building what hinted at being an unsurmountable 7-2 lead. The Trojans were not convinced, scoring four in the fifth and two in the sixth for the 8-7 victory.
Kendall Andrews provided another triple, this time in the fifth that scored
Anna Bennett and
Raegan Hunter.
Maddie Poschke delivered and two-run double, also in the fifth, driving in
Sarah Kinderdine and
Kendall Andrews, pulling the Trojans within one going to the sixth.
Kendall Andrews stayed hot at the plate, driving in the game winning run with a two-RBI single in the sixth, scoring
Callie Williams and
Anna Bennett.
CIRCLE AND BOX NOTES
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Anna Bennett went 3-3 with a home run, four runs scored, an RBI, and a walk.
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Kendall Andrews was 3-3 as well with a run scored, a triple, a sac fly, a stolen base, and five RBI.
Addy Grace Summers added a double.
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Maddie Poschke went 1-3 and had a double, and two RBI.
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Brianna Asmondy (1-0) picked up the win with 1.2 innings of perfect relief. She had two strikeouts.
FRIDAY AT THE CHARGER CHILLOUT
On Friday, the Trojans are playing Young Harris College (6-1) at 1:00 PM. The Mountain Lions are picked to finish sixth in the Conference Carolina's Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Trojans finish the trip with No. 12 UAH (3-2) on Friday at 3:30 PM. The Chargers are picked to finish first the Gulf South Conference. UAH won the GSC last year.
| Thursday – 3 PM |
Mississippi College |
American Field 2 |
| Thursday – 5:30 PM |
University of Montevallo |
American Field 3 |
| Friday – 1:00 PM |
Young Harris College |
American Field 5 |
| Friday – 3:30 PM |
Univ. Alabama Huntsville |
American Field 4 |
This is the seventh consecutive year the Trojans have opened the season at the UAH Charger Chillout. For the third year in a row, the event is being played at Sand Mountain Park in Albertville, Alabama. In addition to playing in the event every year since 2018. The Trojans also played in the Chillout in 2015 and 2016.
NEXT ON THE SOFTBALL SLATE
The Trojans host the Music City Invitational Feb. 14, 16, and 17 at Cedarstone Park in Smyrna. Trevecca will play all of their games in the MCI on Field One.
On Friday, February 16 the Trojans take on Drury University at 10:00 AM followed by Gannon University at Noon.
On Saturday, February 17, the Trojans play the University of Purdue Northwest at 2:00 PM and Ferris State University at 4:00 PM.
On Monday, February 19, the Trojans play Quincy University, but that game is on the Trevecca campus, finishing out the Music City Invitational. The game with Quincy is the first official home game and the last home game until the Trojans host Lake Erie College on March 22.
Their game with Lake Erie is the first home Great Midwest game. Before hosting the Storm, the Trojans play their first Great Midwest game in Ashland, Ohio against the Ashland Eagles on March 15.
