KENNESAW, Ga. (Feb. 18, 2024) – The ETSU softball team got RBI singles by Riley Nayadley, Olivia Absher and Emily Glasscock in the top of the ninth inning, while Sara Muir tossed the final 2.1 innings in relief, as the Buccaneers outlasted Kennesaw State, 8-6 in Sunday's final game of the Kennesaw State Tournament at Riley Park. 
 
The Bucs registered a season-high 14 hits with Young and Muir each finishing with three hits at the plate. The Buccaneer duo combined to go 6-for-9 with four RBI and three runs scored. Nayadley and Taylor Suchy – who started the game in the circle – both posted two hits, while it was Nayadley's single that plated game-winning run. 
 
Suchy and Gabrielle Fowler both earned no-decisions, while Muir (2-3) allowed one unearned on four hits with one strikeout to earn the win. Suchy lasted 4.2 innings with two strikeouts (zero walks), while allowing four runs (one earned) on seven hits. Fowler allowed one run on two hits in two innings of relief. 
 
The Bucs, who defeated the Owls twice over the weekend, moved to 2-8 on the season, while Kennesaw State fell to 2-8 through the first 10 games. 
 
For the fifth straight game this weekend, ETSU plated first-inning runs as Muir connected on a two-run home run over the fence in left-center, giving the Bucs a 2-0 lead. It was Muir's second home run of the tournament. 
 
The Blue & Gold extended their lead to 5-0 thanks to a three-run fourth inning. Young delivered a two-run scoring double to right and Brylee Mesusan later scored on a passed ball. 
 
The Owls got on the board with an RBI single in the fourth and Kassidy Amerson-Fox pulled Kennesaw State within a run in the fifth when her two-out, three-run homer made it 5-4. 
 
Kennesaw State eventually tied the game at 5-5 on Macie Howes' single to left-center in the seventh, forcing the Bucs to make another pitching change. With the winning run on first and two outs, Muir moved from first base to the circle. After issuing an infield single to Amerson-Fox, Muir got out of the inning by forcing Caroline Shumeyko to ground out to second. 
 
The Bucs were retired in order in the top of the eighth and Kennesaw State threatened in the bottom half of the inning. The Owls had the bases loaded with only one out; however, Muir zoned in and kept the hosts from winning the game. The Buccaneer hurler got Madison Miller to hit into fielder's choice as Nayadley fired home for the force out, while Muir ended the frame by inducing Ava Guzowski to line out to center. 
 
After being held scoreless over the last four innings, ETSU finally broke through with the three-run ninth to take command of the game. Glasscock started the scoring spree when her single up the middle brough home Young from third, while the Buccaneer catcher later scored on Nayadley's single to right. Absher capped things off with an RBI infield single to plate Suchy – who reached earlier on a single to center. 
 
The Owls pushed a run across in the bottom of the ninth, but with the tying runs at first and second, Muir got Abby Hammett out swinging to end the marathon affair.  
 
Melanie Bennett was dealt the loss after being charged for five runs (three earned) on eight hits in 5.1 innings. Bennett also struck out six and walked two. 
 
UP NEXT
ETSU returns to action when the Bucs take on Appalachian State in their home opener on Tuesday, Feb. 27. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. at Betty Basler Field. 
 
For more information about ETSU softball, visit ETSUBucs.com and select softball.