Bristol, Tenn. – King University softball hosted Tusculum University on Thursday afternoon for a nonconference doubleheader at the King Softball Field, falling 4–1 in the opener before responding with a strong 5–0 shutout victory in Game Two. The Tornado move to 18–14 on the season following the split, highlighted by a dominant pitching performance from Savana Luper in the nightcap.
Game One: Tusculum Capitalizes Early in 4–1 Decision
Tusculum (11–12) struck first in the third inning, using a bunt RBI single to take a 1–0 lead. The Pioneers added three more in the fourth, including a sacrifice fly and a two-run single down the left-field line, building a 4–0 advantage.
King broke through in the sixth when Yuleesa Kennedy tripled to right field, scoring Ella Richey to cut the deficit to 4–1. However, the Tornado were unable to generate further offense against Tusculum starter Chelsey Stonesifer, who tossed a complete game with 10 strikeouts.
Kennedy finished 1-for-3 with the RBI triple, while Katie Ryan, Savana Luper, and Richey each added hits.
Game Two: Tornado Bounce Back With 5–0 Shutout
King responded with a complete performance in Game Two, earning a 5–0 victory behind timely hitting and a standout outing from Savana Luper in the circle.
The Tornado opened the scoring in the second inning when Aubrey King singled to left, driving in Ryan for a 1–0 lead. King extended the advantage in the fourth as Ryan grounded out to bring home Aviah Bunsic, making it 2–0.
In the fifth, Yuleesa Kennedy doubled to center to score Giana Winge, and King broke the game open in the sixth. Carlie Sheets singled home a run, and Olesia Walch later scored on a stolen base by Staley Vaught, pushing the lead to 5–0.
Luper was outstanding, throwing 6.0 shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out three. Riley Lamb closed the door with a scoreless seventh.
Aubrey King led the offense with a 3-for-3 performance, while Winge, Bunsic, Ryan, Kennedy, and Sheets all contributed key hits.
Up Next
King returns to Conference Carolinas play on Saturday, March 21, traveling to Belmont, N.C., for a doubleheader against Belmont Abbey at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. as the Tornado resume league action.
