Whisonant ties Union's single-game RBI record as the Bulldogs split with Columbia
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Union (KY) | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 12 | 3 |
|
Columbia (SC) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 14 | 3 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Union (KY) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 1 |
|
Columbia (SC) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | X | 3 | 7 | 0 |
Columbia, SC. – The Union Commonwealth University softball team played at Columbia on Sunday in a doubleheader. The Bulldogs won the first game, but fell short in the second matchup.
Game One:
In the top of the first inning, the Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead. Taylor Whisonant reached first on an error when Leea Cole scored. Union's second run was scored when Megan Merritt stole home.
Columbia responded by scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning, but Union countered in the top of the second.
With the bases loaded and one out, an RBI single by Sarah Lowe scored Ashleigh McLeskey. On the next at bat, Whisonant connected on a four-run homer to give Union a 7-2 lead.
The score was 7-4 entering the top of the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, an RBI single by Kaley Harris scored Kerry Dixon. On the next at bat, Kayla Keller recorded an RBI groundout that scored Lowe. Union led 9-4 after the top of the fourth inning.
Columbia answered in the bottom of the inning, scoring two more runs, closing the gap to 9-6. In the top of the fifth inning, Lowe delivered another RBI single to expand Union's lead to 10-6. Columbia countered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to narrow the margin to 10-8.
In the final inning, Whisonant stepped up with a two-RBI single to solidify the Bulldogs' lead. The game concluded with Union winning at 12-8 in seven innings.
Cole, Kerry Dixon, and Carly Cain all made an appearance on the mound. Lowe led the way offensively going four-for-four with three runs and two RBIs. Dixon also went two-for-two, while Whisonant went two-for-four with seven RBIs.
With her seven RBIs, Whisonant has tied the school record for RBIs in a single game. The last person to do this was Marissa West in 2020.
Game Two:
Columbia surged ahead with an early 2-0 lead in the first two innings, while holding the Bulldogs scoreless until the top of the fifth inning.
In the top of the fifth inning with one out, Megan McGinley was walked. Following a pop out, Merritt then delivered a crucial RBI double that scored pinch runner Tori Turner. Lowe followed with an RBI double of her own to knot the score at 2-2.
In the bottom of the inning, Columbia regained the lead with a single run. With the score standing at 3-2, McGinley ignited hope in the top of the seventh with one out via a single.
Cole joined in with another single, which advanced McGinley to second base. Lowe contributed a single as well to load the bases.
Despite the Bulldogs' efforts, they were unable to capitalize as the final score was 3-2 in favor of Columbia. Cain pitched the entire game for the Bulldogs, while collecting three strikeouts.
Lowe led the way offensively going three-for-four with an RBI. Merritt and Cole each went two-for-four with Merritt collecting one RBI and one run.
The Bulldogs are now 11-20 (9-13 AAC) this season, while Columbia is 22-18 (14-10 AAC). Up next for Union is a home doubleheader against Campbellsville on Tuesday, April 16, beginning at 1:00 p.m.