BRISTOL, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University softball team suffered two one-run losses on Thursday (Feb. 29) to nearby King.
Tusculum (9-10) hosts Emory & Henry on Tuesday (Mar. 5) at Red Edmonds Field in the South Atlantic Conference opener. First pitch between the Pioneers and Wasps is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Game 1: King 3, Tusculum 2
A first inning home run by Gabi Nicholson was not enough for the Pioneers to win game one over the Tornado. Nicholson's homer was her second in as many games.
Ellie Alvarez drew a four-pitch walk before Nicholson belted her two-out bomb.
King responded with a two-out RBI in the bottom half of the inning.
The Pioneers loaded the bases with one out, but a fielder's choice resulted in the runner out at home followed by a groundout.
TU also left two on in the fifth after a two-out strikeout.
The Tornado pulled ahead in the fifth via three hits and an error.
Tusculum's half of the sixth inning also saw the bases being loaded with all three runners left on.
Emily Sappington (3-3) pitched a complete game, allowing six hits and three runs (two earned), while striking out 12.
Game 2: King 6, Tusculum 5
A four-run sixth inning provided the Tornado the necessary separation for the sweep.
Tusculum once again got the scoring started in the first with four-straight hits. Danielle Jason hit a leadoff single and stole second. Brooke Smith singled to right center, advancing on the throw to home which got Jason out. Claire Smeltzer repeated the process, but Smith was able to slide in safely.
King got its first lead of the game in the second on a two-run homer.
Maddie McBride tied the contest with a leadoff homer in the fourth. Tusculum had the bases loaded with two outs but failed to convert for any more runs.
The Pioneers regained their lead in the sixth with Jason's single with one out. She stole second and scored on Smith's single to right center.
The Tornado used five hits to score four runs in the sixth to pull ahead.
TU tried to respond accordingly. Alvarez homered to lead off the seventh. Sammy Jimenez hit a two-out longball to left center to bring the Pioneers within one, but Tusculum could get no more.
Ireland Cavanaugh (2-4) tossed 5.2 frames and was tagged for all six runs. She allowed nine hits and three walks but struck out a trio. Natalie Spaitis got the final out, allowing one hit.
