Softball swept by Bryan in AAC finale
WEST POINT, GA (April 13, 2022) – The Point University softball team hosted the Bryan College Lions for its last Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader of the season Wednesday afternoon and fell 1-0 in game one and 4-3 in game two.
With the completion of Wednesday's game, the Skyhawks finish 18-10 in AAC play. Point's overall record is 28-18.
Game 1: Point 0, Bryan 1
After two scoreless innings, Bryan took the lead in the top of the third inning. Bryan's Brooke Belflower connected for an RBI single to right field that scored Aubree Presley at a tight play at the plate, as Skyhawk catcher Chelsea Parker went to make the tag, and the ball was knocked loose by Presley.
It was a pitcher's duel and a defensive battle the rest of the game, as the Lions' run in the third inning was the only run of the game. The Skyhawks attempted to make a late-game comeback in the bottom of the seventh, as Gabrielle Riley led the inning off with a double. Alexus Griffin came in to pinch run for Riley and advanced to third on a passed ball, but the Skyhawks were unable to bring Griffin home.
Brianna Plocharczyk, Haley Lyner, Gabrielle Riley, Taylor Knight, and Meagan Pildner went 1-for-3. Ashlynn Hamm got the start in the circle and suffered the loss, as she pitched three innings, gave up five hits, one run (earned), walked two and struck out one. Mary Burnham came in for relief and pitched four innings, giving up two hits and one walk.
Bryan's Annalise Wood limited Point to just five hits while striking out 14.
Game 2: Point 3, Bryan 4
The Skyhawks bounced back in game two and opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a double down to left center by Asia Jones, scoring Brianna Plocharczyk and Devin Foster to take a 2-0 lead. Bryan answered in the top of the third inning, scoring one run to cut the lead in half 2-1.
The Skyhawks regained a two-run lead in the bottom of the third, as Haley Lyner led the inning off with a single and was brought home later in the inning on an error (3-1).
Point held this lead over the next two innings until Bryan tied the game 3-3 in the top of the sixth. The Skyhawks were unable to retake the lead in the bottom of the frame, and the Lions went on to score the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh and keep the Skyhawks off the board. Woods came in for relief for the Lions in the third inning and recorded seven strikeouts.
Point combined for six hits in game two, with Griffin leading the way, going 2-for-3. Jones, Lyner, Riley, and Parker each recorded a hit and Jones led the team with two RBIs. Katelyn Jiles got the start in the circle for the Skyhawks and pitched 5.1 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) off five hits, walking two and striking out one. Mary Burnham came in for relief and pitched 1.2 innings, giving up three hits, one run (earned), walking one and striking out one.
Up Next
Point will compete in their final doubleheader of the regular season on Wednesday, April 20, as they host Tuskegee in West Point, with first pitch of game one scheduled for 3 p.m.
