The Eagles Fall In AAC Tournament Play But Look to Make Impact in NAIA Tournament
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 17 | 6 |
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3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 13 | 15 | 1 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 1 | 4 | 1 |
Kingsport, Tn. - The Reinhardt softball team continued in the AAC Tournament today. First the Eagles soared to victory against the CIU Rams 13-9. Later that evening, RU played TWU and fell 1-0, ultimatley being eliminated out of the double-elimination AAC bracket. However, the Eagles' season isn't over yet, as they earned the title of AAC regular-season champions, automatically earning a spot in the NAIA National Softball Tournament.
Game One - RU 13, CIU 9:
The Reinhardt University Eagles soared to a 13-9 victory against the CIU Rams. The Eagles took command after overcoming an initial setback, where CIU Rams had initially taken an early lead.
The key moments for Reinhardt included Maddie Wright's fielder's choice and a crucial error by CIU in the second period and a flurry of scoring in the third period, spearheaded by Eryn Lee's impactful double and skilled baserunning. The game saw remarkable performances, notably from Lee who crossed the plate four times and Taylor Wade who drove in three runs. Starting pitcher Macy Langley also played a pivotal role in setting the stage for the Eagles' win. The final push saw CIU scoring six runs in the fifth period, but it was not enough to surpass Reinhardt's established lead.
Game Two - RU 0, TWU 1:
The Reinhardt University Eagles fell narrowly to Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs with a final score of 1-0.
The game's pivotal moment came in the 6th inning when C. Atamaniuk of Tennessee Wesleyan scored the only run, assisted by an RBI from B. Phillips. Despite the intense efforts, Reinhardt's starting pitcher, Anslie Pettit, delivered an outstanding performance, pitching a complete game with 6.0 innings, allowing just one run on four hits, and achieving five strikeouts. Reinhardt's hitters, Shallyn Olszowy and Molly Stevens, contributed hits in a bid to spark a rally but fell just short.
Though the Eagles didn't clinch victory in this elimination round, their journey remains alive with an automatic berth into the NAIA Tournament due to their strong regular season play. The team, currently holding a 28-10 record, awaits the announcement of the location and opponents for their next challenge. The competition remains high, and the Eagles are determined to make a significant impact in the upcoming tournament rounds.