ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. --- Asbury softball traveled to Elizabethtown, Ky. for the first day of competition in the Pioneer Invite. AU's first two matchups consisted of Transylvania University and Anderson University. Asbury fell to Transy 19-4, but bounced back and battled for a win over Anderson, 2-1. 

Game one was a brutal fight for the Eagles as they fell to rival, Transylvania. Taylor Enlow was a help to AU against the Pioneers going 3-2 at bat and collecting an RBI. Olivia Judy and Olivia Palasek were the other two Eagles each grabbing an RBI to aid to AU's four runs of the game. 

The fight against Anderson was a long battle for AU but Kaitlyn Wilson's 2 RBI helped secure the win for the Eagles. 

Kaylee Strunk took the mound for Asbury against Anderson and found seven strikeouts from her 118 pitches. Strunk had 30 batters faced and only allowed five hits. 

Game One | AU 4, TU 19

The top of the first was uneventful for AU, as the Eagles were only able to find one on base from a hit-by pitch. Transy responded hard in the bottom of the first, grabbing 14 runs. 

AU was able to get bases loaded in the top of the second, but could not capitalize on their efforts. In the bottom of the second, the Pioneers were able to continue their offense push to grab four more runs. 

In the top of the third, Kyla Bell tripled to left field to get AU on base. Bell was brought home by Taylor Enlow's single to third base, giving AU their first run of the game. The Eagles defense began to pick up in the bottom of the third, with a quick inning to shut out the Pioneers. 

The fourth inning was scoreless by both teams. In the top of the fifth, the Eagles made a strong effort to come back, scoring three runs. With bases loaded, Marlee Petit took a walk to bring home Abigail Fletcher for AU's second run of the game. Next, Olivia Palasek reached on a fielder's choice which Kyla Bell took advantage of and came home. Lastly, the Eagles brought in their third run of the inning off of a single from Olivia Judy. 

Despite late efforts from AU, Transy came out on top, and the Eagles fell to the Pioneers.

The Eagles moved into game two with a record of 4-13.

Game Two | AU 2, AND 1

Game two looked different than the first, as the first four innings were runless between Anderson and Asbury. Throughout the first four, the Eagles found four hits compared to the Ravens' two. Asbury had seven left on base throughout the first four innings but was not able to bring anyone home due to Anderson's defense. 

It was Anderson who put up the first run of the game in the top of the fifth, due to their center fielder, Maddie Schoenradt, who singled, then advanced twice from stealing, and came home off a passed ball. In the bottom of the fifth, Asbury was unable to match the Ravens having a short offensive inning. 

In the top of the sixth, Kaylee Strunk began it by striking out the first batter, then the Eagles went on to grab the other two outs, not allowing any more runs from Anderson. 

Asbury set themselves up for success in the bottom of the fifth by loading the bases on a two-out rally. Kaitlyn Wilson stepped up to the plate and hit one deep to center field, which brought home two Eagles, and gave Asbury the lead, 2-1. 

With her seventh one of the game, Kaylee Strunk struck out Anderson last batter in the top of the seventh to give the Eagles a win over the Ravens. 

Kaylee Strunk pitched an impressive 118 pitches and seven strikeouts. Strunks only run allowed was unearned, making her ERA for game two, zero. 

The Eagles will finish their first day of competition in the Pioneer Invite with a record of 5-13. 


* G1: AU recorded 6 H, 3 RBI, 3 R

* G2: AU recorded 6 H, 2 RBI, 2 R
* G2: The Eagles only gave up two strikeouts.


* G1: Taylor Enlow | 2-3 AB, 1 R, 1 RBI
* G1: Olivia Palasek | 1 RBI
* G1:  Olivia Judy | 1 RBI, 1 H

* G2: Kaitlyn Wilson | 2-3 AB, 2 RBI
* G2: Natalie Ison | 2-3 AB, 2 H
* G2: Olivia Judy | 1-2 AB
* G2: Kaylee Strunk | 118 P, 7 K's, 0 ERA

The Eagles will continue their competition in the Pioneer Invite on Sunday March 19th with a double header against Defiance College and Wittenberg University at 10AM/3PM.