JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University Lady Bulldog softball team dropped two games in a non-conference matchup to Maryville (Mo.) University 5-3 and 14-2. Union dropped to 5-25 on the season, and Maryville improved to 14-3 on the season.
In the first game, the Saints got things rolling in the top of the third inning when Sheridon Sprague singled to center field to score Ashley Marks. Courtney Ferguson was thrown out at the plate by Union centerfielder
Emily Bennett on the play to end the threat. Maryville continued the momentum going into the fifth inning scoring three more runs to put them on top, 4-0.
With two outs in the sixth inning, Union was able to bust up Wendy Macias's no-hitter with a single by
Whitney Christian. Christian would eventually come around to score on a bases loaded single from
Marley Dyess. The Lady Bulldogs continued their scoring when
Hailey Cummings scored on a wild pitch by relief pitcher Nicole Taylor. The Saints were able to end the inning with a strikeout to limit the damage.
Maryville was able to extend their lead in the top of the seventh to 5-2 with a single to center field by Macias with two outs. Union was able to work out of the inning getting the ground out fielder's choice to Dyess at second base. In the bottom part of the inning, Union was able to score one runner in the inning, but the rally fell short setting the final at 5-3.
Hailey Cummings took the loss on the mound going 4.1 innings allowing three runs on six hits.
Paige Taylor and
Cassie Mills each allowed one run and combined to allow six hits.
Marley Dyess and
Haley Barnette each had one RBI in the game to lead Union at the plate.
The Lady Bulldogs took the lead early in the second game.
Reagan Schrader led off the bottom of the first inning with a single up the middle. Schrader was able to advance to second on a failed pick-off attempt by the catcher. She was then able to get to third on a ground ball to the second baseman off the bat of
Whitney Christian.
Haley Barnette was able to score Schrader on a single down the right field line to take their first lead of the day, 1-0.
Union added another run in the bottom of the second inning when
Emily Bennett was able to score on a wild pitch by Maryville's starting pitcher, Nicole Taylor. Taylor helped herself in the top of the third inning, hitting a two-run shot over the left-center field fence to tie the game 2-2. Ashley Flasch kept things going for the Saints, roping a single to right field to score two Maryville runners.
Cassie Mills came in relief for starting pitcher
Hailey Cummings to get the final two outs of the top part of the inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Saints busted the game open putting up eight runs. Going into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Lady Bulldogs were down 14-2.
Emily Bennett led off the inning with a single to right center, but Union was unable to bring her around to score ending the game by mercy rule 14-2.
Offensively,
Emily Bennett led the Lady Bulldogs going 2-for-2 at the plate at scoring once.
Hailey Cummings took the loss on the mound going 2.1 innings giving up four runs on four hits.
Cassie Mills and
Madison Zablocki were used in relief.
Up next, Union will host No. 17 Valdosta State University in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 19 starting at 1 p.m., and a single game Sunday starting at 1 p.m.
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