COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Union University softball team posted a pair of victories on the final day of the Columbus State University Softball Classic. Union posted a six inning 14-5 win over Georgia Southwestern State and then capped off the class with a 5-2 win over host Columbus State. Union improved to 7-6 on the season.
In the win over Georgia Southwestern State,
Gabby Morris started the offensive outburst with a home run in the second inning. Union added six runs in the third inning. A three run home run from
Kaitlyn Kelley followed by an RBI single form
Peyton Mathis and a two RBI single from
Alyssa Ward. Mathis added a two RBI single in the fourth and Union led 9-0. GSWSU added four runs in the fourth. In the fifth, Union continued the offensive show with a sac fly from
Haley Barnette and an RBI double from
Kristen Pickens. In the sixth, Union got a solo home run from
Parker Davis followed by a two RBI single from
Sarah Smith to lead 14-4. GSWSU added a run in the bottom of the six, but it was not enough to extend the game.
Taylor Manley started the game, tossing 3.2 innings of work allowing four runs on four hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Davis (2-3) earned the win, tossing 1.1 innings of relief, allowing one hit and a walk.
Ashley Graves tossed the final inning, allowing a run on two hits with a strikeout and a walk. Ward led with four hits, while Kelley added three hits. Kelley and Mathis led with three RBI each.
Union then turned its focus to host Columbus State, who no-hit the Lady Bulldogs the day before in an 8-0 five inning shutout. Union jumped on top early and never trailed in the game. Davis' RBI double in the second put Union up 1-0. Abby Page followed with an RBI ground out to give Union a 2-0 lead. CSU got a solo home run in the third to cut the deficit in half. Union's Kelley got her second home run of the day, this time a 2-RBI shot in the fifth to put Union up 4-1. CSU scored an unearned run in the sixth. Union got that run back in the top of the seventh on a wild pitch that allowed Smith to score the fifth run. Morris tossed a complete game, allowing two runs, one earned on five hits with eight strikeouts and three walks. Union had nine hits in the game from seven different players. Kelley and Davis led with two each, while Kelley's two RBI was tops on the team.
Up next for Union will the Gulf South Conference opener for Union, Feb. 23 and 24 at Delta State in Cleveland, Miss.
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