GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University softball team dropped a doubleheader to Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday (Mar. 26) at Red Edmonds Field.
Tusculum (30-6, 9-5 SAC) hits the road to Catawba on Saturday (Mar. 29) for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.
Game 1: Lincoln Memorial 5, #17 Tusculum 2
In a battle of the league's top pitchers, LMU had five extra base hits as TU eked across a pair of unearned runs.
The opener was a scoreless draw until LMU scored on a two-out RBI double.
Abby Hunter crossed the plate in the bottom of the third to tie the contest. Hunter singled to right center and moved up on a Danielle Jason sacrifice bunt. Brooke Smith legged out an infield single, as Hunter scored on a throwing error by the defense.
The Railsplitters tacked on an unearned run in the fourth as the go-ahead run. A leadoff single and two passed balls preceded a double.
Lincoln Memorial created more separation with a three-run sixth inning. LMU used three of its extra base hits in a row to plate a trio.
Tusculum scored with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to finalize the score. Hailey Nichols reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on a throwing error. She scored on a groundout by Hunter as the catcher was called with obstruction.
Megan Ackerman (14-3) was tagged with the loss, going 5.1 innings in the start. She surrendered five runs (four earned) on eight hits with four strikeouts. Natalie Spaitis pitched the final 1.2 frames, relenting two walks with one strikeout.
Game 2: Lincoln Memorial 18, #17 Tusculum 3 (5 innings)
The Railsplitters run-ruled the Pioneers in game two to round out the sweep.
LMU put up all 18 runs within the first four innings, highlighted by a seven-run frame in the third.
Two of Tusculum's runs came in the second inning. Gabi Nicholson notched a leadoff double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Hunter, Jason, and Smith knocked three-straight singles into the outfield to plate a pair.
TU's final run was with two outs in the fifth. Smith doubled down the left field line and she moved up on an Ellie Alvarez fly out. Madison Watts hit a sacrifice fly to score Smith.
Spaitis (6-2) pitched four innings and allowed 11 runs (six earned) on 13 hits with three walks. Dani Beckham tossed an inning in relief, allowing seven runs on seven hits with a walk.
