JACKSON, Tenn. – On Mar. 19, the Union University softball team lost both games of their midweek doubleheader with Harding University. The score of game one was 1-0, and game two’s final was 12-9 in eight innings. With the losses, Union falls to 18-11 overall, and Harding improves to 20-9 overall.
Game one was a battle of the pitchers with the game remaining scoreless until the top of the seventh when Harding’s Tedi Nunn doubled to drive in Kaya Lee. Lainey Baker got the start for Union, throwing four innings and allowing only two hits while striking out six Bison hitters. Emily Claire Felder pitched the final three innings with two strikeouts and one walk. Felder took the loss even though the one run that she gave up was unearned. Her record is now 4-4 overall.
Union had eight hits in game one but were unable to push any runs across, leaving seven runners on base. Sarah Kate Thompson led the offense, going 2-3, while Macey Neal, Zoey Neal, Mackenzi David, Brooke Puckett, Mallory Hildebrand, and Bryleigh Carneal had one hit apiece.
Game two was the complete opposite of game one as the two teams combined for 21 runs and 23 hits. Harding jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the third inning, but Union chipped away with the score being 9-6 after the top of the sixth. In the bottom of the inning, Zoey Neal drove a line drive over the centerfield fence for a two-run homerun, cutting the Harding lead to one run. The Lady Bulldogs held the Bison in the top of the seventh. Then, with Union down to their final three outs, Mackenzi David crushed a no-doubter over the left field fence to tie the game 9-9. Unfortunately, Harding’s Emma Curry hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the top of the eighth to put the Bison ahead once and for all as they went on to win the game.
The Lady Bulldogs outhit Harding 12-11. Four Union hitters had two hits with Jennings going 2-5, David going 2-4, Zoey Neal going 2-4, and Hailey Sipes going 2-2. Macey Neal and Zoey Neal led in RBIs with three each.
Addison Abell started in the circle for Union, going 2.2 innings and giving up seven runs, which were all unearned, on seven hits while striking out one. Riley Vaughn threw the final 5.1 innings, surrendering five runs (four earned) on four hits, walking four, and striking out six. Vaughn took the loss, bringing her record to 6-2.
Up next for the Lady Bulldogs is a road series with Auburn University Montgomery. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Mar. 22.
