KINGSPORT, Tenn. — CIU softball saw its Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament (AAC) run come to a close Tuesday afternoon with a 5-3 loss to the University of Pikeville at Brickyard Ball Fields.
CIU jumped out to an early lead in the second inning. Carmella Korte sparked the rally with a single and stolen base before Tristan Phillips drew a walk to put two on. Raleigh Stewart delivered the big hit, ripping a triple to right center that scored both runners. Stewart later came home on a wild pitch to give the Rams a 3-0 advantage. The Rams carried that lead into the fifth behind a solid start in the circle from Gabriella Czuczuk, who worked four innings and limited damage while keeping Pikeville off the scoreboard early.
Pikeville broke through in the fifth, capitalizing on a pair of passed balls and a two-RBI single to even the score at. They followed with two more runs in the sixth, using a pair of hits and a CIU error to take a 5-3 lead. CIU continued to put pressure on offensively, finishing with 10 hits, but was unable to push across another run over the final innings.
Phillips led the way at the plate with a 3-for-3 performance and a walk, tying and then breaking CIU's single-season hits record in the process. Stewart added two RBIs, while Caydon Thompson, Czuczuk, Sophia Noriega-Mora, and Korte each contributed a hit. In the circle, Czuczuk provided a steady start, allowing just one earned run over four innings. Emily Sampson and Abby Ragan combined to finish the game, with Ragan taking the loss.
Up Next: CIU closes out AAC Tournament play but will look ahead to postseason action next week as the Rams compete in the NCCAA South Region Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla.
