Fifth Inning Home Run By Loveless Lifts Eagles over Bryan
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 1 |
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0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | X | 5 | 7 | 4 |
Kingsport, TN - Reinhardt Softball has a unique situation where they have already clinched a spot in the NAIA postseason, however, as the number one seed in the AAC Tournament - they have a goal of winning this as well. The first step in the process was a first-round matchup with the number eight-seeded Bryan College Lions.
On paper, the Eagles should have an easy time working their way past the first-round opponent - but Bryan came ready to play in this one with their pitcher Denver Hogrefe throwing heat to the Eagles batters. It would not be until the fifth inning before the Eagles would have their first lead in the game, which came off the bat of newly named AAC Player of the Year, Emilly Loveless. Loveless was able to get one out of the Brickyard Park with Taylor Wade on base giving the Eagles a slight 4-3 lead. Reinhardt would go on to score one more in the fifth inning making the score 5-3 and this is how the game would end.
Offensively, the Eagles would be led by the home run by Loveless, but also from the bat of Wade who was 2 for 2 on the day with a double. The double Wade hit in the fifth scored a run to bring the Eagles within one run of the Lions and put herself in position to score on a routine base hit. The hit ended up being a home run which helped the Eagles who appeared to be in desporation mode up until the fifth inning.
Center fielder Alexis Teems had the other double in the game, but the hits were few and far between leading up to the fifth inning.
Ally Andriano got the start for the Eagles and she had a decent outing in her three innings of work. She ended up with two runs scored on her before being relieved by Whitney Shepherd who came in in the fourth inning. Shepherd was able to record one strikeout in her four innings, but she did give up five hits. She kept the scoring to just one run which helped the Eagles hang around until the offense could get started in the game. It took longer than normal, but the fifth inning gave Shepherd all she needed to finish out the seventh not allowing a run and ending the game. Shepherd picked up the first-round win.
Reinhardt (GA)Pitchers
| Pitchers | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ally Andriano | 3.0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Whitney Shepherd (W, 1-0) | 4.0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Totals | 7.0 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
The Eagles have to turn around quickly to prepare for Wednesday's matchup with the #5 seed Brenau University Golden Tigers. Brenau won their game convincingly over the #4 seed Truett McConnell Bears in the early game on Tuesday. The matchup will be another tough one for the Eagles in the second game as everyone will be giving the Eagles their best shot in attempts to knock out the #1 team.
All games can be seen on the AAC Sports Network or Southeast Sports Network on YouTube. Those links are below:
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/aac/
https://www.youtube.com/@SESNsports/streams