Strong defense and timely hitting lead Point to victory over KCU

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (April 25, 2022) – It only took one run Monday afternoon to determine the winner of the opening round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament, and that run belonged to the Point University softball team, as the Skyhawks defeated Kentucky Christian University 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinal round of the AAC tournament.

Pitching and defense ruled the day for the Skyhawks as Mary Burnham, and Katelyn Jiles combined for the shutout. Burnham picked up her 11th win of the season as she went six innings, giving up eight hits, one walk, and one strikeout, and Jiles earned her first save to close out the final inning of action.

Kentucky Christian had runners in scoring position every inning except the first and was unable to push a run across, leaving a total of 12 runners on base. Point experienced similar scoring woes, as the Skyhawks left seven runners on base (five in scoring position), but the Skyhawks prevailed and scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the third, following a hit up the middle from Asia Jones to score Devin Foster.

Point combined for seven hits, as Jones led the way, going 3-for-3 at the plate. Foster, Haley Lyner, Taylor Knight and Meagan Pildner each recorded a hit.

With Monday's win, Point advances to 31-18, tying the program record for most wins in a single season. The Skyhawks will be back in action tomorrow as they face Reinhardt in the quarterfinal round of the AAC tournament at 3 p.m. at Brickyard Park in Kingsport, Tenn.