Union Softball Falls to CIU in AAC Opening Doubleheader

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Union Commonwealth University softball team (5-13, 0-2 AAC) dropped both games of its Appalachian Athletic Conference-opening doubleheader against CIU (17-5, 2-2 AAC) on Wednesday afternoon at the CIU Softball Field, falling 2-0 and 12-7.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1: CIU 2, Union Commonwealth 0

The Rams struck first in the opening inning when a sacrifice bunt brought home the first run to give CIU a 1-0 lead.

Union's offense was unable to respond early. CIU extended its lead in the fifth inning as a groundout plated another run to make it 2-0.

Neither team scored again, and the Bulldogs fell by the final score of 2-0.

Pitching
W: Isabella Davis (5-3) – 7 IP, 6 H, 6 SO
L: Maggie Haydu (2-6) – 4 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 SO

Notable Performances

• Kenley Vanbibber – 2-for-4

• Ashleigh McLeskey – 1-for-1

• Lily Allen – 1-for-3

Game 2: CIU 12, Union Commonwealth 7

CIU jumped out to an early lead, scoring 11 runs through the first four innings to take an 11-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs showed life in the top of the fifth inning when a single from Lily Allen scored Hayden Keirsey from third. Savanna Higgins followed with a double that brought home Tori Turner, Kenley Vanbibber and Allen, cutting the deficit to 11-4 and avoiding the mercy rule.

Union continued to chip away in the sixth inning, scoring three more runs. Singles from Turner and Vanbibber each drove in a run, while Allen added an RBI that scored Keirsey to make it 11-7.

However, CIU answered in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single to push the lead to 12-7. The Bulldogs were unable to rally further and fell by that score.

Pitching

W: Abby Ragan (3-0) – 4 IP, 5 SO
L: Taylor Sain (3-3) – 1.2 IP, 6 H, 7 ER

Notable Performances

• Hayden Keirsey – 2-for-2, 2 R

• Tori Turner – 2-for-3, R, RBI

• Kenley Vanbibber – 2-for-4, R, RBI

Bulldog Notes

• Allen extended her hitting streak to six games.

• Turner extended her hitting streak to four games.

• Vanbibber pushed her hitting streak to three games.
  
  

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs remain in Columbia, S.C., where they will face Columbia College in a doubleheader on Thursday, March 12. First pitch is set for 4 p.m., with the second game scheduled for 6 p.m.