JACKSON, Tenn. – On Mar. 9, the Union University softball team went 1-1 against Christian Brothers University, losing game one 7-6 and winning game two 6-5. After the two games, Union’s record becomes 15-8 overall (7-4 GSC), while Christian Brothers is now 12-11 overall (6-5 GSC).
In game one, the Lady Bulldogs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after Macey Neal homered to left center in the top of the first. CBU tied it in the bottom of the inning and added two more in the third after a two-run homer by Summer Alexander. Morgan Jennings hit a two-RBI single up the middle to tie the game once again. She was followed by RBI singles from Zoey Neal and Mackenzi David as Union once again claimed the lead 6-3. However, the Lady Bulldogs could not hold on as CBU scored one run in the fifth and three in the sixth to win by one.
The Neal sisters and Jennings each collected two hits, while Courtney Marler, Sarah Kate Thompson, and David had a knock apiece. Jennings led in RBIs with two, and Macey Neal led in runs scored with two.
Lainey Baker started in the circle for Union, throwing three innings of three-hit, three-run ball and striking out four CBU hitters. Addison Abell pitched three innings in relief. She took the loss after giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits. Abell’s record is now 2-1 on the season.
In game two, Macey Neal gave Union the lead in the top of the first once again after she hit her second solo shot of the day, this time to right center. CBU took the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the inning courtesy of a Haylee Alberson single. Brooke Puckett doubled in the second to score Thompson, and later in the inning, Marler singled to drive in Puckett, bringing the score to 3-2 in favor of Union. In the fourth, Puckett and Marler hit an RBI single a piece to increase Union’s lead to 5-2. CBU added two runs in the fourth, making the game 5-4. Hailey Sipes drove in Zoey Neal with a clutch single in the seventh. Sipes’s hit would prove to be the game winner since CBU scored one in their half of the seventh, bringing the final score to 6-5.
Marler led the Lady Bulldogs, going 3-4 with two RBIs. Puckett also had a big game at the plate, going 2-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Macey Neal went 2-3, while Zoey Neal, Bryleigh Carneal, Thompson, and Sipes had one hit apiece.
Riley Vaughn threw a complete game for Union, giving up five runs on eight hits and striking out five CBU hitters. With the win, Vaughn’s record improves to 6-1 this season.
Up next, the Lady Bulldogs return to Christian Brothers on Mar. 10 where they will look to take the series in game three. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
