JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — King University softball continued its strong opening weekend with a convincing win over Lincoln Memorial before dropping a hard-fought 7–6 thriller to Tusculum in the second half of Sunday's doubleheader. The Tornado now sit at
3–1 on the season, showing both explosive offense and competitive toughness throughout the day.
GAME ONE: King 5, Lincoln Memorial 1
Waters Shines in Complete-Game Victory
King opened the day with a commanding performance, riding a dominant outing from
S. Waters and a fast start at the plate to secure a 5–1 win.
The Tornado struck immediately, scoring once in the first before erupting for
four runs in the second inning:
- Aubrey King delivered the biggest blow, a three-run triple that broke the game open.
- Yuleesa Kennedy added an RBI double to cap the inning.
With a 5–0 cushion, Waters took over. The junior right-hander tossed a
complete game, allowing just
three hits and one run while striking out four. She forced 17 combined flyouts and groundouts, keeping Lincoln Memorial off balance all afternoon.
Offensively, King tallied
10 hits, led by:
King played error-free defense for the third straight game, cruising to a 3–0 start.
GAME TWO: Tusculum 7, King 6
Tornado Build Early Lead, But Pioneers Rally in Fourth
The second game of the doubleheader delivered all the intensity of a regional matchup, with both teams trading momentum in a high-scoring battle.
King jumped out to a
5–1 lead through three innings thanks to a balanced offensive attack:
- Aubrey King smashed her first home run of the season, a three-run shot in the first inning.
- Alyssa Bunsic doubled and scored as part of a two-run third.
- Grace Shary added an RBI single to extend the lead.
But Tusculum responded with a decisive
six-run fourth inning, capitalizing on timely hits and free passes to surge ahead 7–5.
Tornado Fight Back Late
King refused to fold, cutting the deficit to 7–6 in the fifth when
K. Ryan scored on a productive inning. The Tornado threatened again in the sixth, but Tusculum's bullpen — led by closer
C. Ston, who threw two hitless innings — held firm.
Despite the loss, King showed resilience and continued offensive firepower:
Offensive Highlights
- Aubrey King: 1-for-1, HR, 3 RBI, sac fly
- K. Ryan: 2-for-4, 3 runs
- Alyssa Bunsic: 2-for-3, double
- Grace Shary: RBI single
In the Circle
- R. Lamb battled through four innings, allowing eight hits and four earned runs.
- M. Ramsey was excellent in relief, throwing three scoreless innings with two strikeouts and no hits allowed.
A Strong Weekend With Plenty to Build On
Through four games, King has shown:
- A lineup capable of scoring in bunches
- Multiple players producing consistently at the plate
- Pitching depth that continues to emerge
- A competitive edge in tight, late-game situations
Up Next
King returns to action tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 9, for Day Two of the Big Region Tournament.
