RU Softball Season Ends But Was A Season To Remember
Ashland, OR. - The Reinhardt softball team earned an automatic berth to the NAIA National Tournament after winning the 2023 AAC Regular-Season. The Eagles headed to Ashland, Oregon to compete against 3 other teams for the NAIA Opening Round. In the double-elimination bracket, third-seeded Reinhardt is set to play at host school Southern Oregon, along with Southeastern and Vanguard. After beating Southeastern (6-4) and Vanguard (1-0), the Eagles advanced to the Regional Championship versus the host team Southern Oregon, who is nationally ranked at No. 4. Since the Eagles won the two games before, SOU had to beat Reinhardt twice to earn the right to move on to the 2023 NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, GA.
The first matchup saw SOU to an early 3-0 lead after the 1st inning. SOU's offense carried throughout the entirety of the game, totaling 14 hits. Although Reinhardt got their bats going in the 7th, the Eagles fell in the first game 8-4. The second game went in SOU's favor as well, with 13 hits to Reinhardt's 1. SOU ultimately won 11-0 in 5-innings and will move onto the NAIA World Series.
Although Reinhardt's season came to an end, they have a lot to be proud of as they have had a remarkable season under Reinhardt's first year head-coach, David Dewes. During the 2023 season they have accomplished:
- 2023 AAC Regular Season Champions
- 2023 AAC Tournament Runner-Ups
- 2023 AAC Coach of the Year (David Dewes)
- 2023 AAC Pitcher of the Year (Whitney Shepherd)
- 2023 AAC Freshman of the Year (Kylie Freije)
- Had players like Emily Loveless who recorded her 30th career homerun and 200th career hit
- Qualified for the NAIA Opening Round Tournament in Ashland, OR.
- Finished the season with an AAC record of 26-2 and 37-13 overall.
The 2023 Reinhardt softball team has been fun to watch as Eagle Nation loved to support and cannot wait to do it again next year. Go Eagles!