PULASKI, Tenn. – No. 25 Tennessee Southern celebrated Senior Day on Saturday at Royce Hughes Field, honoring Jayci Boozer, Carley Cook, Stella Gilbreath, Mikayla McCain, Haley McDaniel, and Lauren Pettie prior to the final SSAC twin bill of the regular season against Blue Mountain Christian.
Tennessee Southern 4, Blue Mountain Christian 2
The Firehawks opened the day with a strong performance behind pitching and timely hitting.
Blue Mountain struck first, but UT Southern answered in the bottom of the first as Pettie singled and later scored on King's sacrifice fly to even the game.
In the third, McDaniel tripled to lead off the inning and later scored on McCain's sacrifice fly to give the Firehawks a 2-1 advantage.
UT Southern added insurance in the sixth. Lindsey reached and later scored on a Blue Mountain error, while McDaniel delivered an RBI single to extend the lead to 4-1.
McDaniel led the offense with two hits, including a triple, an RBI, and a run scored. Pettie added a hit and scored a run, while McCain recorded a double and an RBI. King added an RBI, and Bodily finished with two hits. Cook and Mosley each added hits, while Lindsey scored a run and reached base.
In the circle, Singletary was dominant, tossing a complete game while allowing just two runs on seven hits and striking out four.
Blue Mountain Christian 12, Tennessee Southern 6
The nightcap saw the Firehawks battle back from an early deficit, but Blue Mountain used a big inning to pull away.
After falling behind 6-0 in the first inning, UT Southern responded in the third with a six-run frame to even the game. Cook drew a walk to spark the rally before Singletary singled to put runners on. McDaniel and Pettie each reached, with Pettie driving in a run. McCain followed with an RBI fielder's choice, and King added an RBI single. Hall delivered a run-scoring hit, while Bodily and Lindsey each drove in runs to cap the inning and tie the game at 6-6.
Blue Mountain regained control in the fourth with a five-run inning and added another in the fifth.
Pettie led the offense with two hits and an RBI, while Singletary added two hits. McCain recorded a hit and an RBI, and King added a hit and an RBI. Hall contributed a hit and an RBI, while Lindsey drove in a run. Cook reached base and scored, and McDaniel scored a run as the Firehawks tallied eight hits.
In the circle, Gilbreath started the contest, with Boozer and Ursery combining in relief.
With the regular season complete, UT Southern earns the No. 5 seed in the 2026 SSAC Softball Championship, presented by Buffalo Wild Wings. The three-day, double-elimination tournament will be held April 30 – May 2 at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in Decatur, Ala.
The Firehawks will open tournament play on Thursday, April 30, at 12 p.m. against No. 4 seed Blue Mountain Christian. The championship field features:
- William Carey (18-4) – NAIA No. 13
- Faulkner (17-7)
- Mobile (15-7) – NAIA No. 12
- Blue Mountain Christian (12-10)
- UT Southern (12-10) – NAIA No. 25
- Abraham Baldwin (10-14)
- Brewton-Parker Christian (10-14)
- Thomas (7-17)
- Point (3-21)
Blue Mountain Christian earned the No. 4 seed over UT Southern via the head-to-head tiebreaker.
All games will be streamed free on the Urban Edge Network, with tickets sold online only. The Firehawks now turn their focus to postseason play as they look to make a run in Decatur.
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