GAFFNEY, S.C. --- The Tusculum University softball team survived Limestone on Wednesday (Mar. 12) afternoon to extend its current win streak to 14 in a row.
Tusculum (27-1, 6-0 SAC) has a doubleheader with UVA Wise rescheduled for Friday (Mar. 14) at Red Edmonds Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Game 1: #23 Tusculum 4, Limestone 3
The newly ranked Pioneers score four unanswered runs, including three unearned in the top of the seventh, to remain undefeated in conference action.
Limestone scored first, tacking on all three runs in the third inning. The Saints used a pair of extra base hits with one out to get runners on and score.
Tusculum was held scoreless until a leadoff home run in the sixth by Ellie Alvarez, her first of the season.
Needing at least two runs to survive, the Pioneers scored three in the seventh. Ella Majchrzak led off with a pinch-hit single as Caylen Conrad reentered to run. Addison Hoffner pinch hit and reached on a fielder's choice as Conrad advanced to third on a throwing error. Abby Hunter came back in for Hoffner and stole second. Danielle Jason walked to load the bases with no outs. Brooke Smith raced out an infield single to score Conrad. Alvarez fouled out and Hunter was able to score on a muffed catch at the plate. Sammy Jimenez laid down a squeeze bunt to plate Jason to take the lead.
Megan Ackerman (12-1) pitched another complete game gem, allowing three runs on five hits with 10 strikeouts on just 85 pitches.
Game 2: #23 Tusculum 7, Limestone 3
The Pioneers used an early 6-0 lead to overcome miscues to collect the sweep of the Saints. TU tallied 16 hits in the nightcap.
Tusculum led off the second game with five-straight singles to score a pair. With two outs, Hoffner drilled a sixth hit to center to plate both Gabi Nicholson and Jimenez.
TU tacked on two more in the fourth to extend the advantage. Alyssa Barbrick sent her team-leading sixth homer of the season over the fence in center field to kick off the frame. Hunter singled to right center and was bunted over by Jason. She raced over to third on a Smith bunt. Alvarez brought her home via a sacrifice fly.
The Pioneers had three errors in the bottom of the fourth in which Limestone capitalized for three runs, cutting the lead in half.
An insurance run for Tusculum crossed the plate in the sixth. Jason led off with a single and a steal, followed by a Smith walk. Both advanced on a fly out to center. For the second time in the series, Jimenez dropped a squeeze bunt to score Jason from third.
Dani Beckham (5-0) gave up three unearned runs in four innings of work, alongside six hits and one walk. Natalie Spaitis (Sv, 4) matched last season's save record, closing out the final three frames with a pair of walks and one strikeout.
