JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 28, 2024) – The ETSU softball team scored three runs in the fifth inning and
Kendall Thackston tossed five scoreless innings of one-hit ball as the Buccaneers rallied past Wofford 3-2 on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Betty Basler Field.
After playing two tight games on Saturday, the same theme formed again in ETSU's home finale. The Bucs fell behind by a pair of runs in the second inning, but with Thackston coming in out of the bullpen, ETSU's offense finally struck later in the game.
ETSU, who was held scoreless for the first 19 innings on the weekend, finally broke through in the fifth to grab the lead, 3-2.
Faith Adams, playing her final home game in the Blue & Gold, got things rolling with a leadoff single, allowing for
Leilani Coleman-Tillman entering as a pinch runner. Following a single by
Jasmine Sanchez and a walk by
Brylee Mesusan, the bases were loaded for
Cameron Young. Young plated the first run with a sacrifice fly RBI to deep left, while
Riley Nayadley tied the game when her RBI single brought home Sanchez.
Taylor Suchy, who got the start in the circle, gave ETSU the lead with an RBI groundout to short.
With its first lead of the weekend, Thackston made the one-run advantage hold up as she kept Wofford off the board to secure the victory.
Thackston improved to 2-5 after pitching the last five innings of scoreless ball. The Buccaneer hurler induced seven flyouts and six groundouts to go with her one strikeout.
Mesusan reached base twice as she earned a pair of walks, while Adams, Young, Nayadley,
Tiare Rieger and
Halle Laramie registered the six Buccaneer hits.
Margaret Axelson got the start for Wofford where she picked up a no-decision after tossing three scoreless frames of two-hit ball. Tayven Stephenson was dealt the loss (4-2) after being roughed up for the three runs on four hits in 1.1 innings.
The Bucs gear up for their last non-conference games of the season as ETSU travels to Boone, N.C. to take on Appalachian State in a doubleheader Tuesday starting at 4 p.m.
For more information on Buccaneer softball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the softball tab.
