Softball Splits With Point in AAC Play

The Brenau softball team used a late rally to split a pair of games with Point (Ga.) University in Appalachian Athletic Conference competition on Wednesday in West Point, Ga.

After dropping the first game 3-1, the Golden Tigers scored two runs in the top of the ninth to hold off the host Skyhawks, 2-1.

Through seven innings, neither team could generate any offense as both starting pitchers held shutouts going into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth inning, Brenau's Tabitha Morrison opened the inning with a leadoff bunt single, but was out at second after Faith Grooms' hit into a fielder's choice. Grooms then scored on Lexi Cash's double to left-center to make the score 1-0. With two outs in the inning, Autumn Conaway singled to left-center to score Cash to give the Golden Tigers a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Point's Annsley Brown singled off Brenau starter Jessica Rathje to start the rally. Rathje then hit the next batter to put two on base, and then threw a wild pitch to advance both runners to second and third. The Skyhawks' Lacy Striblin then hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Brown to make the score 2-1. However, the Brenau defense held strong to hold on for the 2-1 win.

Rathje pitched all eight innings, allowing only one run with five strikeouts to win her sixth game of the year.

Cash went 2-4 with an RBI, while Conaway added two hits and an RBI in the win.

Brenau (15-10 overall, 4-2 AAC) next travels to Allen (SC) University (2-12 overall, 0-6 AAC) for a 2 pm doubleheader.