GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University softball team swept Bluefield State on Sunday (Feb. 2) behind a pair of complete game shutouts by Megan Ackerman and Natalie Spaitis. Gabi Nicholson hit two game-winning home runs as head coach Julie Huebner is one victory away from 300 in her career.
In game two, the Pioneer defense turned a triple play in the fifth inning.
Tusculum (2-0) returns to Red Edmonds Field on Tuesday (Feb 4), hosting Lees-McRae for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
Game 1: Tusculum 8, Bluefield State 0 (5 innings)
Megan Ackerman impressed in her Pioneer debut, tossing a seven-strikeout shutout. The Tusculum offense recorded six extra-base hits, with Gabi Nicholson driving in three runs.
Nicholson broke up the scoreless tie with a solo homer to straight-away center on a 3-1 count.
The Big Blue got their first runner aboard in the third frame, breaking up Ackerman's streak of three-straight strikeouts. However, she did not move any farther along the basepath.
TU scored seven runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, enacting the run-rule. Sammy Jimenez doubled to left center on a full count before advancing on a wild pitch. Ella Majchrzak's first collegiate hit was a run-scoring single. Alyssa Barbrick followed with her first triple as a Pioneer. Abby Hunter drove her in with a single. Danielle Jason and Brooke Smith launched back-to-back doubles before Ellie Alvarez was hit by a pitch. Nicholson plated her two teammates with a double, her second extra-base hit of the game.
Ackerman (1-0) went the distance, hurling all five innings and needed only53 pitches. The left-hander allowed just four singles while striking out seven.
Game 2: Tusculum 1, Bluefield State 0
Natalie Spaitis threw her first career complete game shutout in her sophomore debut, while Nicholson came up clutch with a pinch-hit home run. The TU defense also accomplished a rare triple play in the fifth inning.
Jason was hit by the first pitch she saw in game two. She stole her second of three bags on the day and advanced to third on a foul out. Attempting a double steal with Alvarez, Jason was plunked in the helmet by the catcher's throw back to third. The shortstop picked up the ball and threw Jason out at the plate.
Bluefield State had a runner reach third in the third. Consecutive singles and a throwing error led to a player 60 feet from home. The Tusculum defense tightened up, catching the visitor in a run-down to maintain the shutout.
The fifth inning was one for the ages with a rarity occurring, a triple play. BSU singled to start the frame, with the next batter reaching on a fielding error. Riley Hope dove for a popped up bunt and the umpire signaled for a catch. The Big Blue runners had already reached the next bags and tried to retrace their steps, but the Pioneer defense was ready and in position for the remaining two outs.
Continuing on the defensive trend, Madison Watts picked off a runner at first base from behind the plate in the sixth. After a pitch from Spaitis, Watts fired over to Hailey Nichols, catching the Bluefield State player off the bag.
With one out in the sixth, Coach Huebner called upon Nicholson to pinch-hit in the scoreless draw. On a 2-0 count, the senior belted her second home run of the day over the fence in left center.
Spaitis (1-0) tied the longest outing of her career with a seven-inning shutout. She relented six hits to five strikeouts on 83 pitches.
