Entering Thursday’s matchup, the Lady Lions Softball team had yet to allow a run through the first two rounds of action in the 2016 Appalachian Athletic Conference Softball Tournament, but the 15th ranked, No. 1 seed, Reinhardt University Eagles (Ga.) had different plans. Eagles’ starting pitcher, Madison Luck, helped Reinhardt achieve their 40th win this season after holding Bryan to a six-hit shutout as the Eagles soared to a 6-0 victory and advanced to the championship game tomorrow at 1pm.
The game-changer proved to be the ability Reinhardt had to string hits together as the Eagles outhit the Lions a mere 7-6.
It all started in the top of the first as the Eagles took an early 1-0 advantage after two back-to-back singles to leadoff the inning and a fielder’s choice that allowed the first run.
Becca Zimmerman singled up the middle in the second and Kim Borowski followed suit in the third but the Lions had no runs to show for it. Reinhardt pieced together their most productive inning of the game in the third as they extended their lead to 4-0. The first run came as a result of a groundout, and the following runs were plated on a two-run double to left-center.
Once again, Bryan’s Katelyn Bowen took a turn with a hit in the top of the fifth, but three groundouts concluded their at-bat. Insurance runs were added in the bottom of the fifth as Reinhardt delivered a pair of doubles that plated two Eagles for the last runs of the game for a 6-0 final.
Kaleigh Riley and Leslie Nunnelly singled in the bottom of the seventh, respectively, but the rally quickly diminished as Reinhardt picked up the third out.
Kaitie Sims surrendered seven hits and six runs as she dropped her overall record to 14-13. She added three strikeouts and one walk in the contest. Sydney West saw action inside the circle, relieving one inning and not giving up a run or walk in the process.
Gore, Borowski, Zimmerman, Riley, Nunnelly, and Bowen were the only Lions to produce a hit.
Reinhardt moves onto the championship game, while the road is difficult for Bryan and the winner of Tennessee Wesleyan College & Milligan College (Tenn.) who would have to win three consecutive games tomorrow for the AAC Tourney title.
The No. 2 seed Lady Lions direct their eyes to tomorrow’s game at 11am against the winner of this evening’s game between Tennessee Wesleyan and Milligan.