Huss Leads the Charge in Comeback Over Bears

Huss Leads the Charge in Comeback Over Bears
Box Score
April 28, 2021

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

 KINGSPORT, Tenn. – A slugfest broke out between No. Truett McConnell (Ga.) and No. 3 Reinhardt in the quarterfinals of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship on Wednesday night, as both teams scored in numerous innings at Brickyard Ball Fields in Tennessee.

It was the Eagles (39-11), however, who had the last laugh with three runs in the seventh to keep their momentum rolling to the semifinal round with an 8-7 come-from-behind victory.

"We have played really good softball games with Truett this year and tonight was no different," head coach Jade Geuther said. "Emily set the tone from the jump with her home run and Megan was a difference-maker at the plate… Whitney and Ansley threw well, and every player executed what we had on the scouting report. It's a great feeling that we will enjoy here for the next couple of hours and then we will turn our attention to Brenau."

Emily Loveless immediately got her club on the board with a lead-off blast to left for a 1-0 lead, which the Bears got right back in the bottom of the frame on an error, and then took the lead in the second on a single to center field.

With Reinhardt trailing, 2-1, Jill Martinet singled to center to tie the score again in the third. She was then followed up by an RBI-groundout from Natalie Parlato and an RBI-hit from Megan Huss for a new advantage of 4-2.

Truett McConnell chipped away at its deficit again in the third (as it earned tallies in the first five innings) with another RBI-knock up the middle. The Bears then took over the lead once again, 5-4, in the fourth following an RBI-groundout and a blooping double.

Another run for the hosts followed in the fifth on a single to short as the scoresheet moved to 6-4.

Kyrstyn Fisher would continue her strong tournament with another RBI-single up the middle to move her team back within one tally (6-5), before the Eagles flew to the seventh with momentum and crossed home plate three times on two hits and an error.

Huss got one through the right side to tie the game again, which eventually helped Kalyn Jinks earn a pinch-hit RBI on a bases-loaded walk.

A wild pitch then brought Huss home for an 8-6 cushion.

Truett-McConnell wasn't about to give in, however, as it got a single and an RBI-double both with two outs, but the Eagles got a groundout on the next batter to advance to the round of four in the winner's bracket.

The hometown group collected 11 hits but also had three errors in the field.

Individually, Huss went 4-for-4 with two RBIs and a pair of runs scored. Alise Hooks was also 2-for-4 in the positive outcome.

Ansley Byers got the triumph in the circle in relief following four innings of work and just one earned run.

The Golden Tigers of Brenau (Ga.) are up next tomorrow afternoon in the AAC Semifinals. 

First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

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For more information on Reinhardt Softball, please click here.