St. Xavier Outlasts Brenau in NAIA National Tournament

Columbia, Kentucky- The Brenau softball team fell to St. Xavier (Ill.) University 8-4 in an elimination game of the opening round of the 2021 NAIA Softball National Championships on Tuesday.

After St. Xavier opened the game with two runs in the top of the first, the Golden TIgers responded in the bottom of the inning with two home runs as senior Faith Grooms hit a solo home run and then freshman Hannah Patridge hit a solo shot of her own to tie the game at 2-2.

In the top of the fourth, the Cougars scored four runs behind Tori Keilman's three run home run to increase the lead to 6-2.

The Golden Tigers again responded in the bottom of the fifth as senior Karly Smith led off the inning with a single, then Grooms blasted her second home run of the game to close the gap to 6-4.

However, St Xavier answered again with two runs in the top of the sixth to pull away with the win.

Grooms led the Brenau offense with a 2-4 performance with two home runs and three RBIs, while Smith added two hits. Freshman Abigail Brown also went 2-4 at the plate.

Brenau starting pitcher Cameron Dillard pitched 3.2 innings and allowed six runs on seven hits to take the loss. Fellow senior Caroline Mitchell threw two innings and allowed two earned runs while senior Chloe Fambrough also pitched 1.1 innings in relief.

St. Xavier starter Allison Golic pitched all seven innings and allowed four earned runs to earn the win.

The Cougars outhit the Golden Tigers 12-9, including holding a 3-2 advantage in home runs.

Brenau completes the season with a 23-17 record, including winning the 2021 Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament title.