Bossom tosses first no-hitter

Kimber Bossom’s no-hitter and Stacie Shepherd’s two-hit shutout led the Patriots to a doubleheader sweep over Husson University on Thursday night.

The Patriots defeated the Eagles 8-0 and 3-0 at UT Tyler Ballpark.

The Patriots scored four runs in the bottom of the first of game one. Amanda Hurt, Whitney Wyly, Amanda Busby and Ashley Klores all scored in the inning.

Wyly hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning to put UT Tyler up 7-0. The Patriots added their last run in the sixth.

Bossom, who pitched game one, allowed two walks and stuck out seven in a no-hit effort.

Game two looked reminiscent of the first. The Patriots scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the third. Hurt brought in Joey Cronin and Kristin

Anderson on a triple to right-center. She later scored on a sacrifice fly by Wyly.

Shepherd pitched a complete game, allowed hits and struck eight to earn her seventh win of the season.

“My drop was really working today,” Bossom said. “Our hitting has been getting really good, and our defense is awesome right now.”

Over spring break, the Patriots traveled to Panama City, Fla. to compete in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic. The team played six games in three days, three of those games against top 20 teams.

The Patriots defeated #6 Cortland State 11-3 to open the tournament. Three more wins moved the Patriots into the semi-final round to face American Southwest Conference foe, Louisiana College. The Lady Wildcats handed coach Mike Reed and his squad their first loss of the season, winning 5-3.

The Patriots closed out the tournament with a 7-0 victory against now #5 Christopher Newport.

Joey Cronin’s performance at the tournament earned her a Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III National Player of the Week. Cronin batted 13 for 17 at the tournament.

The Patriots stand at 13-1 on the season and are ranked second in the nation by the NFCA behind Louisiana College. ASC East Division opponents, East Texas Baptist and Mississippi College, are ranked third and ninth respectively, putting four ASC East teams in the top 10.

“The national rankings are now reflecting what we’ve known all along,” Reed said, “that we have the best division in Division III softball.”

The Patriots are scheduled to travel to Louisiana College for a doubleheader on Wednesday.

Their next home game is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 3 against ETBU.