Freshman Lifts Wesleyan Seniors to Season-Ending Sweep

Macon, Ga. - The Wesleyan softball team capped off its 2012 season on Monday afternoon with two wins over Tennessee Temple University, sending seniors Kayla Lumley and Tricia Velasco out in style.  The Pioneers defeated the Lady Crusaders by scores of 4-3 and 9-5.

Wesleyan trailed Tennessee Temple by two runs going into the bottom of the seventh inning in the opening game of the doubleheader, but the Pioneers strung together three hits and a walk to earn the come from behind win in exciting fashion.  With one out, freshman Megan Trietsch hit a single which was followed by a Kayla Lumley walk and an Anna Jones single, loading the bases.  Freshman Colleen DeGraff stepped up to the plate next, smacking a double that drove in three runs, giving Wesleyan the win.

Once again in the nightcap, Wesleyan found themselves trailing by three runs in the early innings before DeGraff came through in the clutch with another big hit.  The freshman's triple scored Katy Trietsch, Lumley and Jones and gave the Pioneers the momentum they needed to take the lead for good.

Seniors Kayla Lumley and Tricia Velasco, playing in the final games of their Wesleyan career, both contributed significantly to the wins.  Lumley finished the night 2-6, scoring 3 runs, while Velasco 3-7 with a double and an RBI.

"I'm glad to get these wins," remarked Velasco.  "We didn't win as much as we would have liked to this year, but I think it's been the best season I've had at Wesleyan, and I really think we owe it to Coach [Dickie Hightower]." 

Added Lumley, "Wining these games today meant the world to me. It's been a tough season and we've had to fight through a lot of adversity and injury, but today we came together as a team and overcame that adversity, which is what I'm most proud of."

Wesleyan wrapped up its year with a final record of 6-23, marking the most wins for the program since the 2007 season.