KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The Rams softball team headed to its first round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference playoffs on Monday, with the challenge of winning their first-ever postseason game in program history. CIU was pitted against familiar foe Union College, who they played just last week. The ladies in navy and gold fell short in the series against Union, losing two close games. The storyline wouldn't be much different today, as the Bulldogs of Union College defeated CIU by a score of 5-1.
Key Plays:
- The Bulldogs came out swinging in the 1st inning, getting three batters on base with one out. However, the Rams defense came up big, yielding no runs to the Bulldogs.
- Union found a way to get on the board in the 3rd inning, as Brittanni Bradanick hit a sac fly to center field, scoring Marissa West.
- In the 4th inning, the Bulldogs scored their second run of the game from an RBI single to short, going up 2-0 over CIU.
- The Bulldogs found another score in the 5th inning, this time from a Shelby Easton tag up from third on a ground out by Elly Souther.
- Union commanded a 3-0 lead heading into the 6th, when Makala Gore stole home for a score. Later in the inning, Marissa West batted in Brooke Brown, scoring the Bulldog's fifth and final run of the game.
- The Rams attempted to Rally in the top of the 7th, however, as Heaven Zamora batted in Ashlee Chinn with a double down the left-field line, cutting the Bulldogs lead to four. This late push wouldn't be enough to overcome the Bulldog's lead, as the Rams fell to Union.
Key Players:
- Heaven Zamora batted in CIU's sole run of the game in the 7th inning.
Up Next: The loss in Kingsport signals the end to the Rams 2021 season. It's first full season since 2019; CIU finishes with a 14-30 record, 10-13 at home, and 8-18 in the AAC.
