JACKSON, Tenn.- The Union University softball earned a double-header split Thursday at Fesmire Field. Union defeated Maryville (Mo.) University 6-4 in the first game and fell 5-1 to Maryville in the second game. Union is now 1-3 on the season, while Maryville goes to 1-1. 

Maryville took a 3-0 lead with three runs in the third inning, all three unearned. Union rallied with a run in the third on a Haley Barnette RBI single. Union then took the lead with four runs in the fourth. Emily Bennett led off with a double to get things rolling for the Lady Bulldogs. Parked Davis doubled in a run, Abbie Page singled in two runs, and Gabby Morris helped her own cause with an RBI ground out. Union added a run in the sixth to lead 6-3 on Rosie Red's RBI fielder's choice. Morris (1-1) gave up a couple hits and a run in the seventh and was pulled after 6.1 innings of work. In the win, she allowed one earned run on four hits with eight strikeouts. Taylor Griffith (1) earned the save with two-thirds inning of scoreless relief. Union's Bennett and Barnette led with two hits each, while McDaniel led with a pair of RBI. 

In the second game, it was Maryville's starting pitcher Callans (1-0) going the distance. She allowed just one run on five hits with six strikeouts and no walks. Her only run allowed was a monster home run from Morris in the bottom of the seventh. Union was down just 2-0 behind the solid pitching of both starters. Parker Davis (0-2) took the loss, going 5.2 innings and allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts. Taylor Manley tossed 1.1 innings of relief, giving up three runs on three hits, including three runs in the seventh. Union got five hits in the game from five different players.  

Up next for Union is two more games Friday, February 9. Union takes on Bethel (Tenn.) at 4 p.m. and then LeMoyne-Owen at 6 p.m. at Fesmire Field to complete the weather adjusted Union Softball Classic. Maryville will take on Bethel and LeMoyne-Owen at noon and 2 p.m. respectively. 

-UNION-