Union splits doubleheader against Truett McConnell

Barbourville, Ky. – The Union College softball team split Sunday's doubleheader against Truett McConnell. The Bulldogs won the first game 9-1 in five innings, but fell short 12-9 in seven innings in the second matchup.

The victory in the opening matchup marked Union's first victory over Truett McConnell since the 2018 season. Union wore pink jerseys in Sunday's doubleheader to promote breast cancer awareness.

Game One:

The Bulldogs entered the third inning trailing 1-0, but went into the fourth with a 9-1 lead. With the bases loaded and one out, an RBI single by Megan Merritt scored Kaley Harris.

On the next at bat, Sarah Lowe connected on a four-run homer. In addition to Merritt and Lowe, Leah Cole and Megan McGinley scored off the home run.

Later in the side with the bases loaded with one out, Shelby Easton registered a two-RBI single that scored Katie Fister and Tori Turner.

Following a single by Harris, Megan McGinley tallied a two-RBI single that scored Easton and Redmon. Union ended the side with nine runs and seven hits. The Bulldogs won the game 9-1 in five innings.

Lowe and Harris each tallied two hits, which was tied for the most by the Bulldogs. Leea Cole pitched the entire game for Union.

Game Two:

In the bottom of the second inning, a sacrifice fly RBI by Fister scored Kayla Keller. Keller was pinch running for Taylor Whisonant. The Bulldogs trailed 4-1 after two innings of play.

A sacrifice fly RBI by Lowe scored Cole in the bottom of the third. Later in the side, Merritt scored off an RBI double by Merritt. Union trailed 4-3 after the third inning, but Truett McConnell tallied four runs in the fourth inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Shelby Easton registered a solo home run to trim the deficit to 8-4. In the top of the fifth inning, Truett McConnell scored four runs in the second straight inning. In the bottom of the inning, Whisonant registered an RBI double that scored Lowe. Union trailed 12-5.

Union had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Easton was walked, which scored Lowe. On the next at bat, an RBI single by Harris scored Whisonant. On the ensuing at bat, McGinley reached first on an error as Ryleigh Petrey scored.

Following that, an RBI single by Leea Cole scored Easton. Union had the bases loaded with one out trailing 12-9, but Truett McConnell prevented any additional runs. The Bulldogs fell short 12-9 in seven innings.

Merritt, Fister, Carly Cain, and Kerry Dixon each pitched in the matchup for Union. Whisonant and Harris each registered three hits, which tied for the most by a Bulldog.

The Bulldogs are now 6-8 (4-4 AAC) this season, while Truett McConnell is 11-8 (7-1 AAC). Up next for Union is a home conference doubleheader against Bluefield on Monday, March 18, beginning at 2:00 p.m.