JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 29, 2025) – East Tennessee State University softball fell in its second conference series to Furman on Saturday. 

Despite winning the second game 1-0 behind a masterful performance in the circle from junior Marissa Barnes, the Bucs' offense faltered in a 7-1 loss that moved ETSU to 2-4 in conference play.

In the opener, Barnes tossed a seven inning gem. The junior college transfer struck out four, walked four and allowed just a pair of hits en route to the Buccaneers' first shutout victory of the season.

The ETSU bats were quiet for most of the first game before breaking through in the sixth inning. Taylor Suchy reached on an error with one out and junior Leinani Lutu singled her to third in what was just ETSU's fifth hit of the game. Makayla Veglia delivered with a sac fly that scored Suchy.

Barnes allowed one of her two hits in the seventh, but stranded the runner on first for the 1-0 win.

In the rubber match of the series, the pitching was excellent for both squads through the first five innings, as the fifth frame ended scoreless with just four combined hits allowed.

However, the Paladins' offense finally got going on the day in the sixth after 12 scoreless innings for ETSU's staff. Two walks and a single loaded the bases, and a sac fly and a double followed, scoring all three runners. Furman's third hit of the inning pushed a fourth run across.

The Bucs started to answer in the bottom half of the frame, but ETSU stranded two runners in scoring position after Suchy scored her second run of the day. Furman added three more runs in the top of the seventh and secured its first series win with the 7-1 triumph.

Next, the Bucs will hit the road to take on Samford, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 5.

For more information on Buccaneer softball, follow @ETSUSoftball on X (Twitter), @etsubucssoftball on Instagram and visit ETSUBucs.com.