COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Union University softball team split day one at the Columbus State University Cougar Classic. Union won its first game 6-1 over Converse College and then fell to the host team, Columbus State, 5-4. Union is now 2-4 on the season, while Converse fell to 0-8 and Columbus State improved to 3-4.
In the first game of the day against Converse, Union scored in the third inning when senior
Alyssa Ward singled to shortstop to drive in
Morgan Jennings.
Brooke Puckett hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning to extend the lead to 4-0. Converse scored its only run of the game in the top of the sixth when Faith Hauser singled to right field. In the bottom of the sixth, Jennings singled to center field, driving in Puckett and
Harley Bartholomew. Converse went three-up three-down in the seventh inning, securing the 6-1 win for Union.
Reese Taylor pitched all seven innings for Union, giving up one hit and one earned run while striking out three batters.
In the second game of the day against Columbus State, Union once again scored first. In the top of the fourth,
Fallon Groves doubled to center field, driving in
Grace White.
Kira Finkley then hit a home run, driving in Groves and putting the Lady Bulldogs up 3-0. Columbus State responded in the bottom of the fourth with three runs and tied the game. In the fifth inning, Columbus State added two more runs to take a 5-3 lead. Pucket hit a single to drive in White in the sixth inning and cut the lead to 5-4. The Lady Bulldogs were unable to take advantage of bases loaded later in the inning and the 5-4 score held. Finkley pitched four innings for the Lady Bulldogs, striking out two while giving up five runs on six hits and taking the loss.
Olivia Baker pitched the final two innings of the game.
Union will play two more games in Columbus Sunday, Feb. 13. The first game is at 11:00 a.m. against Coker University, the second game is a rematch against Columbus State at 1:15 p.m.
-UNION-
