East Tennessee State softball advanced on May 7 to the next round of the 2026 Southern Conference Tournament after defeating Mercer in the first round. The Buccaneers won with a score of 7-0, led by a complete-game no-hitter from Muncy.
The game marked only the fourth no-hitter in program history and was the first complete-game no-hitter in the Southern Conference Tournament since 2016. Muncy’s performance included three strikeouts, fifteen flyouts, and three ground outs. It was also her third complete game in nine days, each resulting in a win for East Tennessee State.
The teams remained scoreless through three innings before East Tennessee State opened up offensively with seven runs across the fourth and fifth frames. In the fourth inning, Boone walked and Lutu singled to place runners on base. Rieger’s sacrifice bunt moved both into scoring position before Croley drove Boone home with an RBI single and Martens brought Lutu across on another sacrifice bunt.
The fifth inning saw Taylor walk and advance to third on Moore’s single. Taylor scored on Boone’s single up the middle. After Lutu’s sacrifice bunt advanced runners, Fonesca (pinch running for Moore) scored on Rieger’s single to right field. Both Rieger and Boone then scored on Martens’ single up the middle, followed by Coleman-Tillman driving home Martens for the final run.
Muncy allowed only two walks during her outing; otherwise she sent Mercer down three-up, three-down in six of seven innings pitched. Five individuals recorded RBI singles while one contributed an RBI via sacrifice bunt as part of East Tennessee State’s offensive effort.
East Tennessee State will face Western Carolina at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 7 at Frost Stadium.
