April 19, 2024
Truett McConnell's Tyler Barber poses with the board showing his time qualifying him for the NAIA Nationals, to be held May 25-27 in Gulf Shores, AL. TMU ATHLETICS/SpecialBy Walker McCrary
TMU director of Athletic Marketing and Communications
Tyler Barber ran a 1:52.40 to win the 800 meter dash and qualify for NAIA Nationals on Saturday as part of a big day for the TMU track and field teams at Emory University. The Bears ran against many NCAA Division I and II schools, including Georgia State, Shorter, Emory, West Georgia, North Georgia, Augusta, and Kennesaw State among many others.
Donald Bonner finished in 13th in the 400 meter hurdles and in third in the triple jump. Jeff Chandler finished in 12th in the shot put, while Chance Jowers placed 16th in the discus throw.
For the women, Ivie Nobles finished in 16th place in the 5000 meter run. Jhalexius Chandler finished in 19th and 24th in the shot put and discus throw, respectively.
The Bears will next take part in the Susan Rouse Invitational at Southern Wesleyan University on April 7 and 8.
BLUEFIELD, VA — The Truett McConnell softball team scored 20 runs in 15 innings of play Saturday to sweep Bluefield. Game one was won by a score of 8-5 (8 innings) while game two was a 12-8 decision for the Bears.
The Bears struck first in game one, putting up four runs in the top of the second inning. But the Rams answered with four of their own in the bottom half of the inning. After Bluefield scored a single run in the third inning, TMU tied it up in the fifth on a Peyton Wilson single.
The game would go to an extra inning as neither team scored again. The Bears took advantage and scored three runs, highlighted by a Milly Martinet two-run bomb to get the win.
Game two was a little more in-hand for the Bears. After a two-run burst for Bluefield in the opening frame, the Bears scored one in the second, four in the third, three in the fourth, and one in the fifth to take a 9-2 lead. Martinet hit her second homer of the day in the fourth on the first pitch she saw.
Bluefield tried to mount a comeback, but the Bears got three huge insurance runs in the top of the seventh to earn the sweep.
TMU will return to Cleveland tomorrow to take on Talladega. First pitch of the twinbill is set for 2 p.m.
BARBOURVILLE, KY — The Truett McConnell baseball team took game one of an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series against Union, but the Bulldogs took the final two games to clinch the season series with the Bears.
All three games were tightly contested as the Bears and Bulldogs hit the ball very well in the weekend series. In total, there were 51 runs scored between the two teams in the three games.
Union's bats really heated up after game one as they were able to get early leads and hold on late against the Bears' offense.
Chris Carden earned the win in game one by going a complete game and striking out seven.
TMU will play at home tomorrow against NCAA Division II opponent Young Harris. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
