Central Arkansas graduate senior pitcher Baile Runner came one out from a no-hitter on May 7 against Jacksonville University and settled for a one-hit shutout in an 8-0, five-inning victory in the winner’s bracket of the ASUN Softball Tournament, at the University of North Florida Softball complex.
The game ended on the eight-run rule. The top-seeded Sugar Bears (35-18-1) advanced to the winner’s bracket final on May 8 against the winner between No. 2 Stetson and No. 7 North Florida.
No. 4 Jacksonville (33-20) dropped into the loser’s bracket. If UNF loses to Stetson, the Ospreys will play No. 3 North Alabama later on May 7 and JU will play the winner on May 8 at 2:30 p.m. If Stetson loses, JU will play North Alabama.
Runner (15-6), allowed only one baserunner in the first three innings when she hit JU’s Tatum McCool to lead off the inning. Vic Brunette then hit into a double play that started with Runner snaring her one-hop grounder and Runner got the side in order in the fourth.
She was one out from the first no-hitter in the ASUN Tournament since 2022 until Emma Mansfield grounded a single down the line to left. Runner ended the game by striking out McCool.
Runner’s attempt at the no-hitter was preserved on diving catches by right fielder Lilly Hood in the fourth inning and third baseman Trinity Brandon to lead off the fifth.
The Sugar Bears got to ASUN Pitcher of the Year Jacy Harrelson early, with five runs in the second inning. Addie Graham highlighted the outburst with a three-run homer, her fifth of the season, and Renee Christian had a two-run double.
Central Arkansas scored three more in the third, with Grace Molitor hitting a two-run double.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Central Arkansas pitcher Baile Runner comes one out from no-hitter vs. JU
Reporting by Garry Smits, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
