Tusculum softball knocks of Lenoir-Rhyne again one day after setting program record

WINGATE, N.C. (WCYB) — In a massive way to open up the South Atlantic Conference Championship Tournament on Friday night, Tusculum softball upset No. 23 ranked Lenoir-Rhyne for the second time in this month alone.

On top of it all, it was in comeback fashion late.

Despite jumping out to a 3-0 lead, a four run fifth inning for Lenoir-Rhyne put the Pioneers behind heading into the final two frames. In the seventh, some small ball for Tusculum plated three runs to retake the lead and not look back.

Emily Sappington (14-5) closed it out won her ninth-straight start.

Meanwhile, the win that sends the Pioneers to Saturday unscathed marked the first 30-win season in a decade. It also comes after a big day for the program as a whole which saw a record four players be named to the All-SAC team.

Claire Smeltzer was named to the first team as an outfielder, Danielle Jason was tabbed to the second team as a designated player, and Ellie Alvarez and Emily Sappington earned their way on to the third team as shortstop and utility/pitcher, respectively.

All of their efforts have contributed to the 30-win campaign and part of another 20+ wins for the 13-straight time, excluding the shortened COVID season. This spans the entirety of head coach Julie Huebner’s tenure, as well.

Tusculum (30-20) now faces the top seed in the tournament and No. 7 team in the country, the Wingate Bulldogs. The day one winners will square off at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday (Apr. 27), with the loser playing again at 5 p.m. to avoid elimination.