Greeneville, Tenn. – The second-seeded Anderson University Softball team could not provide the run support needed to defeat the sixth-seeded Pioneers from Tusculum in the semifinal game on Sunday afternoon at Red Edmonds Field. The Pioneers advance to its first ever SAC Tournament final, while Anderson's (29-11) fate remains in the hands of the NCAA committee, to be determined on May 17th.
"We seem to have trouble hitting good pitching and it always comes down to run support," said head coach Tommy Hewitt.
Tusculum scored solo runs in the third and fifth innings, while holding the Trojans at bay until a lead-off home run by senior Mattie Hamilton in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Following Hamilton's home run and a ground out by freshman Hannah Whitaker, senior Matti Cantrell reached base with a hit up the middle. Junior Jessica Neadow reached on a fielder's choice, erasing pitch runner Maggie Massey from second. Senior Sarah Middleton's ground out the third ended the seventh inning rally.
The Pioneers southpaw hurler, Emily Sappington (9-7), kept the Trojans off balance the entire game. Sappington gave up just four hits, while striking out 10 batters.
Anderson's Middleton (7-4) pitched a solid five innings before being lifted in favor of freshman Laken Maxwell. Middleton scattered five hits and struck out two. Maxwell pitched the final two innings, giving up three hits, no runs and striking out a pair of Pioneers.
AU's Hamilton batted 2-for-3 (RBI), Cantrell went 1-for-2 and Neadow batted 1-for-3.
