Softball's 2023 season ends at AAC Conference Tournament

KINGSPORT, Tenn., (April 27, 2023) – The Point University softball played the first elimination game in the AAC conference tournament on Thursday when they took on #8 Milligan. The #5 Skyhawks would fall 14-4 in their last game of the season.

The Skyhawks would get a boost early from Taylor Knight on her double to left center that would score Alexus Griffin to make it 1-0 after the first inning. The Buffs would add six runs in the next two frames of play with two runs in the second inning and three runs in the third inning to make it a 6-1 game. AAC Player of the Year, Haley Lyner looked to keep the hopes of the Skyhawks alive when she would hit a solo home run to make it 6-2 in the bottom of the sixth. The top of the seventh saw the Buffs score eight runs to take a commanding 14-2 lead. The Skyhawks would get a run back when Devon Foster would single through the right side that would score Brianna Plocharczyk to make it 14-3. McKensie Barnes would reach on a fielder's choice to score Kayla Wyatt to make it 14-4. The Skyhawks would be unable to score any more runs and the Buffs would eliminate Point from the AAC Conference Tournament by a score of 14-4.

Ashlynn Hamm would get the start in the elimination game for the Skyhawks. Hamm would go 2.1 innings pitch allowing five runs with four being earned, while scattering five hits. Zada Smith would come into relief in the third inning, and she would end up pitching 1.2 innings. Smith would allow one unearned run on five hits in her outing. Mary Michael Burnham would come in the fifth inning and throw three innings. Burnham would allow eight runs with two runs being earned, while scattering nine hits and striking out three batters.

By The Numbers

Games – 50

Hitters:

Runs - 282

Batting Average - .341

On Base - .406

Slugging - .468

Home Runs – 29

Pitchers:

E.R.A. – 4.19

Shutouts – 5

Strike Outs - 125

Awards

AAC Player of the Year – Haley Lyner

AAC First Team – Gabrielle Riley

AAC Second Team – Taylor Knight

AAC Champions of Character – Kayla Wyatt

Next Game

The loss today has ended the softball team's 2023 season. Thank you to all 14 seniors who finished their collegiate softball careers today. We look forward to watching the softball team in their new conference, Southern States Conference starting for them in the in the spring 2024.