NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Trevecca Nazarene University softball team closed out its Gulf South Conference series Saturday afternoon with a 9-7 victory over in-state rival Lee University at the Trevecca Softball Complex.
The Trojans improved to 18-16 overall (14-16 GSC), while Lee moved to 19-33 overall (10-20 GSC). With the win, Trevecca avoided the series sweep and built momentum heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
Series History
In the last ten meetings, Trevecca has a 6-4 edge in the series. Since 2013, in the NCAA era, the teams have met 20 times and are now even at 10-10.
Saturday's matchup marked the 67th all-time meeting between the two programs, dating back to May 2, 1992, when the schools were both in the NAIA.
Trevecca earned its 20th win in the all-time series on Friday, and the Flames lead the all-time series 47-20.
Trevecca 9, Lee 7
Trevecca used timely hitting and a big sixth inning to secure the victory in the series finale.
The Trojans kept pace early, answering Lee's first-inning run when
Addy Grace Summers came around to score to tie the game at 1-1.
Trevecca took the lead in the second inning as Summers delivered an RBI single, giving the Trojans a 2-1 advantage.
After Lee surged ahead with a four-run fourth inning, Trevecca responded immediately. In the bottom of the fourth, the Trojans plated four runs, highlighted by a two-run double from freshman
Annalise Mecklenburg to reclaim a 6-5 lead.
Lee briefly regained the lead in the fifth, but Trevecca answered again.
Addy Grace Summers tied the game with a solo home run in the fifth inning, setting the stage for the decisive moment.
In the sixth inning,
Annabelle Ellis delivered the biggest swing of the day, launching a two-run home run to give Trevecca a 9-7 lead. In the circle,
Parker Herrin earned the win in relief, tossing three strong innings and shutting down Lee's offense down the stretch.
Trevecca totaled 13 hits in the win, with Summers leading the way with three hits and three RBI, while Ellis added two RBI and Mecklenburg drove in two runs.
Circle and Box Notes
- Parker Herrin earned the win with three innings of scoreless relief.
- Addy Grace Summers went 3-for-3 with three RBI, including a home run.
- Annabelle Ellis hit a two-run home run.
- Annalise Mecklenburg recorded a two-run double.
- Trevecca finished with 13 hits.
Conference Implications
With the win, the Trojans are one step closer to punching their ticket to the GSC Championships, holding a four-game advantage over both Union and Lee in the Gulf South Conference standings. Union is the only team contesting the Trojans for a slot in the postseason. The Trojans can lock up their invitation with another win or a Union loss. Union concludes their series with CBU on Sunday, followed by a three-game series with Valdosta State next weekend. Trevecca hosts AUM next weekend.
Currently tied with Valdosta State at 14-16 in conference play, Trevecca will head into the final weekend with positioning on the line, as they look to secure either the No. 7 or No. 8 seed in the upcoming GSC Tournament if they can best Union in the standings.
Next on the Diamond
Trevecca returns home to host the top seed in the conference, Auburn University Montgomery, for the final Gulf South Conference series of the regular season. The doubleheader is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., followed by the series finale on Saturday at 12 p.m. at the Trevecca Softball Complex.
