East Tennessee State University’s softball team split its final home doubleheader of the 2026 season against Gardner-Webb on April 28. The Buccaneers won the first game 4-3 and lost the second game 0-1 to the Runnin’ Bulldogs.
The games marked an important conclusion to East Tennessee State’s home schedule, as the team looks ahead to its final regular season series. In game one, Croley led the Bucs’ offense by scoring all four runs for her team, a first for any player this season. She opened with a leadoff single in the second inning and was driven in by Martens’ double. The Bucs regained their lead in the fourth inning after singles from Croley, Stowell, and Rieger loaded the bases for Porter’s sacrifice fly RBI. Croley scored again in the fifth after a successful double steal attempt with Stowell.
Gardner-Webb tied up game one with runs in both the sixth and seventh innings before Croley’s double and Stowell’s single set up Martens’ walkoff sacrifice fly that secured ETSU’s win. Both Croley and Stowell collected three hits each, combining for half of ETSU’s total hits during that game.
In game two, only two Buccaneers managed hits—both singles into shallow outfield—and walks were drawn by two other players including Croley who also took an extra base on hers. Barnes pitched four scoreless innings extending her streak to eleven consecutive scoreless frames while Suchy allowed just two hits over her appearance.
The Buccaneers will now travel to Macon, Georgia for their last regular season series at Mercer from May 2-3.
