Not Done Yet: Hometown Squad Heads to AAC Final Game
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
Photo Courtesy of Karl Moore, Mooreshots Photos
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – With their backs against the wall in win-or-go-home fashion, the 25th-ranked Eagles scratched their way to the if-necessary game of the AAC Championship Final following wins over Truett McConnell (Ga.) (10-7) and Brenau (Ga.) (8-4).
Reinhardt is now 41-12 as the hometown squad has one more AAC battle to go at 5 p.m. on Friday.
Eagles vs. Bears, W (10-7)
- Reinhardt scored multiple runs in the first, second, sixth and seventh innings (10 total).
- Truett McConnell had a 6-4 advantage after three runs each in the first and second frames.
- The Eagles took the lead for good in the sixth after four tallies, highlighted by a 2-run triple from Alise Hooks and another RBI from Natalie Parlato.
- A sacrifice bunt got another one back for the No. 2 seed, but the Championship's three seed got two more runs after a wild throw from shortstop.
- Emma Adams and Parlato had two hits each.
- Reagen Radke closed the door for the victory and completed the outing from start to finish with 10 hits allowed and six earned.
Eagles vs. Golden Tigers, W (8-4)
- Reinhardt jumped on top of Brenau, who beat the hometown team on Thursday, with two tallies in the second thanks to a 2-run triple from Megan Huss.
- The Golden Tigers got back to all-square following single runs in the second and third.
- The momentum switched back to the Eagles in the fourth following RBIs on a groundout, single up the middle and a double.
- A 2-run single to center field brought the drama back to a higher level and got Brenau within 5-4.
- Reinhardt shut down the Golden Tigers the rest of the way and added three insurance runs in the seventh on a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly.
- Five players gathered two hits in the triumph.
- Reagen Radke (5.1 innings; 4 Ks) got another win in the circle while Lindsey Shepherd locked down the save in 1.2 stanzas.
It's time to leave it all on the field for an automatic bid to the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round.
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