April 4, 2011

Story courtesy of Union Sports Information

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union (Tenn.) University softball team rallied to win the second game of a double-header on Saturday (April 2) against No. 7 Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) University  5-4. Union fell in the first game 9-4. Union, who is receiving votes in the NAIA rankings, goes to 22-9 on the season and 12-2 in the TranSouth. Trevecca Nazarene is now 28-overall and 15-1 in league play.

In the second game, Union took the early lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. CJ Browder was hit by a pitch and later scored the game’s first run when Amber Hayes converted a squeeze bunt. Shelby Lamb drove in the second run with a single later in the inning. Union held the 2-0 lead until the top of the third inning.

Trevecca Nazarene added single runs in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take a 4-2 lead. Included in the Trojan rally was a solo home run from Haylee Rogers. Union answered when pinch hitter Keaton Kirk hit the first pitch in the bottom of the sixth over the fence to get Union to within 4-3. After Union held the Trojans scoreless in the top of the seventh, Union took advantage of a lead-off walk to Tobie Joy in the bottom of the frame. Hayes reached on an error that moved Joy to second. Lamb then bunted for a hit that scored Joy from second as the ball got through the infield. Hayes moved to third base on the bunt and then scored on a wild pitch to win the game.

Lamb led Union with a 3-for-3 date while Hayes, Lamb and Kirk each recorded one RBI each. Brooke Thomas (11-3) earned the complete game victory with four runs on six hits and five strikeouts. Riley Mashburn (11-3) took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits.

The first game was tied 1-1 after one inning of play. An RBI single from Stephanie Saunders tied the game for Union. In the third inning, Trevecca Nazarene got a bases loaded double from Melinda Paterson that gave her team the 4-1 lead. The Trojans led 5-1 after a home run from Lauren Baker in the fifth. Union responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame with RBI from Ali Bozza and Hayes. However, a grand slam from Rogers in the sixth sealed the win for the Trojans.

Union had five players with one hit each, while Hayes, Saunders and Bozza added one RBI each. Keaton Kirk (9-4) took the loss, allowing six runs with seven strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work. Caroline George tossed 3.1 innings of relief, allowing three runs and striking out four. Baker (15-0) earned the win, allowing four runs and striking out nine hitters.

Up next for Union will be a home double-header on Monday at 5:00 p.m. versus Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.)