AAC Goes 2-4 in NAIA Softball Opening Round

AAC Goes 2-4 in NAIA Softball Opening Round
May 21, 2023

WALESKA, Ga. - The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) saw its teams go 2-4 in the NAIA Softball Opening Round this week.

Reinhardt went 2-2 and advanced to the Ashland Bracket championship round, while Tennessee Wesleyan went 0-2 in the Indianapolis Bracket.

In the Ashland Bracket, Reinhardt started off with a 6-4 win over Southeastern. The Eagles built a 5-0 lead by the top of the fifth and then held on for the victory. Molly Stevens collected two RBI for Reinhardt, and Kylie Freije went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Reinhardt followed that with a 1-0, eight-inning win over Vanguard (Calif.). With a runner on second in the bottom of the eighth, Taylor Wade singled to put runners on the corners. However, a throwing error allowed Stevens to score to give Reinhardt the win. Whitney Shepherd collected 19th win of the season as she tossed a complete-game, shutout and allowed nine hits and no walks with two strikeouts.

With the wins, Reinhardt advanced to the championship round to face Southern Oregon, who needed to win twice. In the first game, Southern Oregon jumped out to a 4-0 lead and did not look back in picking up the 8-4 win. Down 8-1 in the seventh, Reinhardt put together a three-run rally, but it was too little, too late. Emily Loveless went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.

In the finale, Reinhardt was held to one hit as Southern Oregon won 11-0 to win the NAIA Opening Round.

At the Indianapolis Bracket, Tennessee Wesleyan dropped its opener to Marian (Ind.) 3-0. It was a scoreless affair until the bottom of the sixth when Marian rallied for three runs. Both teams had four hits apiece with Marian collecting three of theirs in the sixth.

Tennessee Wesleyan then faced Middle Georgia State in an elimination game, and both teams had eight hits apiece. Yet, Middle Georgia State was able to put their hits together and score in the 5-0 win. Mackenzie Baldwin went 2-for-2 for Tennessee Wesleyan.

For full details on the NAIA Opening Round, click here.