Union University’s softball team played a double header against Bethel University March 2. The Lady Bulldogs brought home two wins against the Wildcats with a score of 3-1 in the first game and 14-8 in the second game.
The first game began with a slow start from both teams until Union broke away with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Wildcats received their single run for the game in the fifth inning.
Kelly Robey, senior sports management major and pitcher for the team, tossed a complete game with 14 strikeouts and only allowing one run.
At the start of the second game, Bethel jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a run in the first inning. However, the Lady Bulldogs responded with four runs in the first inning and another four in the second inning.
However, the Wildcats did not back down as they rallied back to tie the game in the fifth inning. Union pulled away with the win in the bottom of the sixth with six runs.
“We hit the ball really well, and that is great to see going into our conference games this weekend,” Robey said.
The games against Bethel brought the Lady Bulldogs to an overall record of 11-7 on the season.
“As a whole the season is going pretty well,” said Whitney Christian, junior accounting major and second baseman for the team. “We just have to stay mentally and physically strong and I think we have a good chance to be in the conference tournament.”
On March 3 the Union baseball team brought home a win against Cumberland University, the defending NAIA National Champions. With a final score of 11-9, the win moved the Bulldogs to a 3-12 record on the season.
Cumberland started the game off strong with a quick three runs in the second inning. By the seventh inning, Cumberland had a 9-0 lead against the Bulldogs.
But in the top of the eighth inning, Union began their comeback. The Bulldogs added six runs to their score to make it 9-6. Union then started off the ninth inning with several runners on base which turned into five runs for the Bulldogs to make the final score 11-9.
“Hitting is contagious and it caught fire in the last two innings,” said Teddy Christie, sophomore education major and pitcher for the team. “We’re a young team and we’re constantly improving.”
Skyler Harrison, freshman athletic training major and pitcher for the team, was encouraged by the rally his team was able to show late in the game.
“Hopefully winning a close, hard fought game like this will build our confidence and help us through the rest of the season,” Harrison said.
The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs will travel to the University of West Florida for a conference series on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8.
