Softball Miracle Run Comes to an End in AAC Final

Kingsport, Tenn. - adsfadf

Reinhardt opened the final day of the AAC Softball Tournament with a decisive 8-0, five-inning win over Bryan before falling 3-0 to Truett McConnell in the second game Friday in Kingsport, Tenn., turning the day into a split in tournament play. The Eagles' run to get to Friday's final three teams was nothing but incredible. They were the hottest team in the tournament leading up to the championship game and the bats suddenly cooled off.

The Eagles took control early in Game 1 and put the result away with a four-run fourth inning. Emily Pettit delivered the first run with an RBI single to left in the opening inning, scoring Hallee Shirley, and Shirley added another run-scoring single in the second to bring home Taylor Wade for a 2-0 lead. Reinhardt then broke the game open in the fourth, highlighted by Kylie Freije's sacrifice fly to right as part of the four-run frame that stretched the advantage to 6-0. Emily Pettit added the final blow in the fifth with a two-run single to center, giving the Eagles an 8-0 lead.

Shirley set the tone at the top of the lineup, going 3 for 3 with three runs scored, one RBI, and a stolen base. Emily Pettit finished with two hits and three RBIs, while Freije added two hits, including a double, and drove in a run. Reinhardt totaled nine hits, drew six walks, and finished without an error. In the circle, Anslie Pettit worked all five innings for the shutout, allowing four hits, walking three, and keeping Bryan from cashing in on its chances.

Anslie Pettit vs Bryan College

Reinhardt (GA)Pitcher

Game 2 was tighter for four innings before Truett McConnell broke through in the fifth. Emma Skipper tripled to center, and Avery Walker followed with an RBI single down the line for the game's first run. Truett McConnell added separation in the sixth when Rylee Walker homered to right for a solo shot, and another run later scored after Morgan Kacalek singled and advanced during a sequence that ended with a wild pitch.

Reinhardt was limited to four hits in the second game and could not solve Truett McConnell pitcher Gabby Hughes, who threw a complete-game shutout with three strikeouts. Anslie Pettit returned to the circle for the Eagles and kept the team within reach for much of the afternoon, covering six innings while allowing six hits and three runs, two earned, with four strikeouts on 76 pitches. Reinhardt finished Game 2 with one error and left four runners on base.

Anslie Pettit vs Truett McConnell

Reinhardt (GA)Pitcher

Reinhardt created an incredible run after letting their first game go in the late-night loss to Milligan on day two of the tournament.  Pettit's arm carried the Eagles throughout, and the bats caught up to her performance after game one.  Players like Ansley Hight, Molly Stevens, Shallyn Olszowy, and Emily Pettit (just to name a few) got on a hot streak and showed why the team was in first place of the AAC all the way through the regular season. Now, the team will see if they can somehow sneak into the NAIA Opening Round since they were not able to capitalize on their chances for automatic bids. The NAIA will announce the team placements this week, and hopefully we will see the Eagles' name called out.

All Tournament Team Selections:

Ansley Hight, Emily Pettit, Anslie Pettit