JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University softball team finished 2-2 in their opening weekend at the Mardi Gras Invitational in Youngsville, La. On Feb. 2, the Lady Bulldogs dropped both games, the first to Harding University 4-1 and the second to Southern Arkansas University in a heartbreaker 5-4. On Feb. 4, Union defeated Southeastern Oklahoma State University 2-0 and Southern Nazarene University (SNU) 2-1.
Against Southeastern Oklahoma, the Lady Bulldogs jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning after Morgan Jennings got a base hit to lead off and Macey Neal followed with a two-run blast to dead center. Newcomer Lainey Baker pitched a seven-inning shutout and allowed only four hits while striking out seven in her first win as a Lady Bulldog.
Union out hit Southeastern Oklahoma 6-4. Six Lady Bulldogs had one hit each, including Mackenzi David, Kira Finkley, Camryn Langley, Mallory Hildebrand, Jennings, and Neal.
Against Southern Nazarene, Union won another tight game. In the second inning, junior transfer Sarah Kate Thompson drove in David for the first run of the game when she nailed a line drive single that SNU’s pitcher Olivia Hernandez deflected. Macey Neal led off the third inning with a triple to center, and Courtney Marler grounded out to drive her in for what would be the winning run. Riley Vaughn got the win, pitching 2.2 innings and striking out three, and Emily Claire collected her first save of the season after throwing 4.1 scoreless innings in relief and striking out four.
The Lady Bulldogs had nine hits in the game. Macey Neal and Marler collected multiple hits with Neal going 3-4 and Marler going 2-4. Jennings, Zoey Neal, David, and Thompson had a hit apiece.
Up next, Union travels to Columbus, Ga., for the Columbus State Classic Feb. 9-10. Their first game will be against Lenior-Rhyne University on Feb. 9 at 12:00 p.m.
