East Tennessee State University’s softball team secured two victories against Alabama A&M at Betty Basler Field, completing a season sweep and improving their record to 9-1. This marks the best start in the program’s history.
In the first game, ETSU overcame an early deficit to win 4-3. Alabama A&M scored twice in the opening inning, but ETSU responded in the bottom half with runs from Taylor and Croley. The Bulldogs regained a brief lead in the second inning before ETSU rallied in the sixth. Croley delivered a key single up the middle, driving in Coleman and Riger to put ETSU ahead for good.
Key performances included a freshman third baseman who went 2-for-3 with one run scored and three RBIs, while Taylor stole three bases—a career high for her at ETSU—and scored once. Senior first baseman led with eight putouts, followed by five from senior catcher. Senior pitcher and outfielder pitched four innings and notched three assists. Sophomore second baseman matched this assist total and added three putouts. Junior pitcher Fowler entered as relief, striking out four batters over several innings to earn her first win of the season.
The team recorded seven hits, four RBIs, eight assists, 21 putouts, drew four walks, and stole five bases—its highest single-game total this year.
In game two, ETSU posted its second shutout of the season with a 2-0 victory—following an earlier 17-0 win over Tennessee State. Croley contributed defensively with three assists and one putout while going 1-for-2 at bat with two walks and a stolen base. Sophomore infielder Moore went 2-for-3 as designated player and drove in one run with a double.
Martens led defensively with six putouts; Lutu had four; Taylor had three. Boone walked twice, hit a double, went 1-for-2 at bat, and scored once.
ETSU scored both runs in the third inning: Boone doubled then advanced home on a passed ball after Porter singled through left field; Porter later scored on Moore’s single to center field. Pitchers Barnes and Muncy combined for four strikeouts while limiting Alabama A&M to just three hits across 27 at-bats without issuing any walks or wild pitches.
The Bucs will next compete at the Winthrop Invitational in Rock Hill, South Carolina from March 6–8 against Georgia State, Bucknell, and Winthrop.
