Trojan News

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - The Trevecca softball team (7-7, 2-0 TranSouth) lost their final game in the Gulf Coast Invitational with a 10-6 loss to Oklahoma Christian (13-6), but it took an extra inning. The Eagles are receiving votes for the NAIA Top 25.

The Trojans jumped out with a run in the first inning when Chelsea Bailey scored after reaching on an error to start the game. The Eagles struck back in the top of the first with a home run from Casey Brady. Neither team scored again until the sixth, when both teams registered runs. OCU scored four runs on four hits in their half of the inning. Kayla Jennings had the big hit, a two-run single. The Trojans answered with two runs in the bottom frame. Caitlyn Bailey reached on a one-out single to left field. She later scored on a wild pitch. Riley Mashburn, who had singled in the at bat following Bailey, scored on an error by the first baseman. Trevecca tied the game with two runs in the seventh forcing the game to go into extra innings. Sammy Simon reached on an error to start the inning. Melinda Patterson reached on a single and Megan Hemmingsen walked to load the bases with no one out. Caitlyn Bailey struck again with a RBI single. Riley Mashburn hit an RBI single to left field to tie the game, but the Trojans couldn't push across the winning run.

The game was decided when OCU posted five runs in the top of the eighth inning. They did so on four hits, including Amber Canay's two-run homer. Trevecca tried to mount a rally, but could only push across one run and fell 10-6.

Oklahoma Christian scored 10 runs on 11 hits and had four errors. Trevecca scored six runs on 13 hits and had no errors. Sophia McKean (5-0) got the win in relief of starter Leigh Leonard. McKean pitched the final two innings and allowed one run on three hits. The run was unearned. Leonard gave up five runs, one earned, on 10 hits and four walks. She struck out five Trojans. Stephanie Fisher started for Trevecca and didn't factor into the decision. The senior allowed five runs, all earned, on six hits and three walks while striking out four Eagles in 5.1 innings. Lauren Baker (3-2) came on for the final 2.2 innings and allowed five runs, four earned, on five hits and a walk while striking out two.

Christian Dobbs, Casey Brady, and Tiffany Sherman all had two hits for the Eagles. Kayla Jennings, Brittany Rice, and Amber Canady all had two RBI.

Freshman Caitlyn Bailey led the Trojan offense with a 3-for-3 performance with a run scored, an RBI, and a walk. Riley Mashburn was 3-for-4 with a run scored, and an RBI. Melinda Patterson was 2-for-5 wtih a run scored.

Trevecca will return to TranSouth Conference play when they host Martin Methodist (13-5, 0-0 TranSouth) at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. Trevecca will also host Fisk University on Wednesday at 4 p.m.