GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University softball team will take the field against Anderson for the fourth time this season as the Pioneers' NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Tournament opener on May 19. The four-day (May 19-22) event is being hosted by the University of North Georgia at Haines & Carolyn Hill Field in Dahlonega.

All three meetings between the conference foes have been at Red Edmonds Field. The Pioneers and Trojans did battle on April 15, with the teams splitting the regular season series. Tusculum was responsible for knocking AU out of the SAC tournament in the semifinal round on April 25. However, Anderson leads the all-time series by the narrowest of margins (15-14) over the Tennessee team.

RECAPPING THE SEASON
The Pioneers (22-17) last played on April 25 in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament. Tusculum won back-to-back games to earn the program's first SAC tournament championship and the automatic qualifier to the NCAAs.

Anna Alloway has notched a team-best 57 hits, including 10 doubles and seven home runs, for a .396 batting average. The outfielder has also piled up 29 runs scored, 28 runs batted in, six walks, and one stolen base. In 144 at bats, Alloway has struck out only eight times.

Alexis Grampp is slugging .664 with a team-best 21 extra-base hits, 32 runs scored, and 38 RBI. She also has the second-most hits (43), steals (6), and tied for second with 11 walks. Chloe Freischmidt is just behind her fellow infielder with 36 hits, eight homers, and 34 RBI. Mya Maddox has used her speed to steal 18 bases with two triples, while Claire Smeltzer's patience has paid off for a team-high 12 walks drawn. Meanwhile, nearly half of Kiley Longmire's 26 hits have been for doubles (12). Hayley Lazo and Emily Sappington round out the long-ball category with five and two dingers, respectively.

Sappington is leading the Pioneer pitching staff with 125.0 innings of work in 22 appearances and 19 starts. The sophomore has accumulated an 11-7 record with two saves, alongside 14 complete games. Sappington has struck out 127 foes, walked 20, and allowed 40 earned runs for a 2.24 ERA. In her lone season at TU, the left-hander has thrown a pair of no-hitters, matching the program's season and career mark.

Kaitlyn Pickens and Keylon Reynolds have accumulated a combined 81.1 innings pitched with five complete games and a 5-6 record. The duo has struck out 57 batters, relented 38 earned runs, walked 35, and both ERAs are a shade over 3.00.

As a team, Tusculum is ranked across the top-10 in three NCAA statistical categories: sacrifice bunts (3rd; 48) double plays (4th; 20), and double plays per game (7th; 0.51).

LOOKING AHEAD
Anderson (29-11) will be making its fifth overall appearance in the NCAA tournament. The Trojans won their first ever Southeast Regional in 2013. In the program's most recent action, AU lost to SAC foe Lincoln Memorial in the 2019 region finals.

All-Region first baseman Kayson Boatner has been one of the driving forces of the Trojan offense, leading the way with 51 hits and 13 homers on a .405 batting average. The all-conference first teamer has also contributed seven doubles, 28 RBI, 15 walks, and a pair of stolen bases.

Morgan Charter leads AU with six triples (7th in Division II) and 29 runs batted in and catcher Mattie Hamilton has drawn an impressive 22 walks. Jessica Neadow's seven steals are a team-best, while Hannah Whitaker (11) and Matti Cantrell (10) are the two Trojans to reach double-digit doubles. The latter was also named all-conference.

In the circle, Harlie Duncan joined Boatner on the All-Region second team and the SAC postseason list. The senior has started all 20 of her appearances, racking up a 13-3 mark with 121.0 innings pitched. She has tossed 12 complete games, allowed 44 earned runs, walked 43 batters, and struck out 106 for a 2.55 ERA.

Anderson has only used three pitchers all season and each one has a sub-3.00 ERA. The trio is averaging 2.44 earned runs allowed in 2021.

POLICIES
Per NCAA mandated championship guidelines, the venue will be limited to 50% capacity and all spectators must wear a mask. Tickets will be sold on a per game basis at $5 per ticket (CASH ONLY) and the stadium will be cleared after every game.

Further information regarding spectator access, capacity limits, ticket sales and parking will be posted on the championship central page and/or the North Georgia athletic home page. Additionally, links to live stats and video for the tournament are also located on the event site.