Dayton, Tenn. – The Bryan Lions Softball Team could only produce one run on Tuesday (Mar. 29) against the Southern States Athletic Conference opponent, Brenau University, but it was all they needed for a split with the Golden Tigers.
Play got off to a slow start as game one unfolded and four innings passed with no runs to show for it by either team. In the bottom of the fifth, a single from Leslie Nunnelly with two outs provided just what the Lions needed as Katelyn Bowen delivered an RBI double to left. The lone run scored by Nunnelly would be all Bryan needed to edge out Brenau in game one, 1-0.
Kaitie Sims had a stellar performance for the Lions as she picked up her ninth win and third shutout of the season. She held the Golden Tigers to four hits while walking three and striking out three. The hit-count was even as both teams ended the first game of the doubleheader with four hits apiece. Bowen’s eighth double of this season helped her notch her 13th RBI this year.
Game 2
Both teams combined for eight hits in game two, but the difference maker proved to be how Brenau capitalized early. In the top of the first, the Golden Tigers led off with a walk and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. A Tiger singled, plating the first run of the game. Two runners ended up on base after a fielder’s choice and a walk. The Golden Tiger’s, Lexi Cash, was money as she sent a dagger to right for a three-run inside the park homerun, jumping Brenau ahead 4-0.
The Golden Tigers added two insurance runs in the top of the second after a Tiger singled to lead off the inning and was followed up by a two-run blast over the right field fence to make it 6-0. The Lions were silenced to three hits and no runs as Brenau came away with a 6-0 decision for the split against Bryan.
Sarah Hundley was off to a rocky start for the Lions after tossing 1.1 innings and surrendered four hits and six runs. Sims continued right where she left off in game one and didn’t allow the Golden Tigers to score a run as she cruised through 5.2 innings while walking three and striking out three. Olivia Gore, Becca Zimmerman, and Hundley were the only Lions to record a hit.
The Lady Lions improve to 17-13 overall and maintain an impressive 11-3 Appalachian Athletic Conference record. The Golden Tigers move their overall record to 17-16 overall and 3-5 in SSAC play.
Bryan has its eyes set on another SSAC foe in Martin Methodist College as they travel to Pulaski, Tenn. to faceoff against the RedHawks on Friday (Apr. 1) in doubleheader action.