CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - East Tennessee State softball closed the 2026 campaign in game seven of the 2026 Southern Conference Tournament at Frost Stadium on Friday evening. The Bucs (22-30, 8-13 SoCon) fell 4-5 to the Terriers (35-18, 10-11 SoCon) in a heart breaker.
The final two contests of ETSU's 2026 campaign were hard-fought one-run losses.
NOTABLES (L, 4-5)
How It Happened:
ETSU jumped out to a hot start with three runs in the top of the first. A walk and a single were pushed into scoring position by a ground out and then crossed the plate on an RBI single from Boone and an error on Wofford to run up, 2-0. The third run arrived on an RBI single from Lutu to bring Boone across the plate. Despite limited scoring past the opening frame, ETSU recorded hits or placed runners on base during each inning for the first time in the tournament. The damage was done in the bottom of the fifth when a walk and a pair of fielder's choices landed two on and were driven in by a two RBI double to push the score 3-2. An additional two walks and single fielder's choice loaded the bases for a three RBI double to push the Terriers up 5-3, surpassing the Bucs. The fourth run for ETSU arrived in the top of the sixth after Martens doubled to right center, advanced to third on a single from Stowell and crossed the plate on a sac fly from Porter to right field. A double from Lutu in the top of the seventh gave hope but the squad was unable to bring Lutu around for the game-tying run.
- Leinani Lutu went 2-3 with one RBI single and a double, collecting two putouts behind the plate.
- Hailey Porter went 1-2 with a walk and sac fly for an RBI, crossing the plate once herself. The freshman shortstop recorded the team-high in assists with three and tacked on two putouts.
- Riley Martens went 2-3 with a double and was scored on Porter's sac fly for one of four runs scored by the Bucs in the outing. On defense, Martens collected three putouts and one assist.
- Whitney Boone went 1-4 with one run scored and two RBI on a single to right center that converted to a three-base outing after a Wofford error.
- Tiare Rieger led the team in putouts with six in part to two Wofford sac bunts. Rieger went 1-2 at the plate.
- Abigail Taylor went 1-2 with a sac bunt and crossed the plate after her single in the top of the first inning landed her on base.
- Eden Muncy threw for six innings, holding the Terriers scoreless through five of six frames with one strikeout. The contest was Muncy's seventh complete game since April 11. The sophomore pitcher limited Wofford to just six hits in the outing.
- The team totaled 29 at-bats, four runs, nine hits, three RBI, drew two walks and registered six assists through the 18 putouts.
