Alix Kruel delivered the game-winning hit in both games as
Tusculum College swept a South Atlantic Conference softball
doubleheader from Mars Hill University Tuesday night at Red Edmonds
Field, winning by scores of 5-3 and 3-2.
The Pioneers (24-20, 10-6 SAC) will follow up their sweep of the
Lions (20-16, 6-10 SAC) by heading out on the road Thursday
afternoon for a non-conference doubleheader at Francis Marion,
beginning at 4 p.m.
Game 1: Tusculum 5, Mars Hill 3
(Box
Score)
Tusculum had just three hits off Mars Hill starter Shelby Culler,
but the decisive blow was a bases-clearing triple off the bat of
Kruel with two outs in the fourth that gave the Pioneers a 5-3
lead. Kelly King (16-9) struck out nine and allowed one earned run
on eight hits to earn the win for the Pioneers.
Mars Hill took a 2-0 lead in the second on a two-run double by
Shaundee Woosley, but Tusculum came back to tie the game in the
third as Nicole Ball led off with a walk and reached third on a
misplayed fly ball off the bat of Kruel. Carolyn Williamson
delivered an RBI single to bring home Ball, and Kruel also scored
on a wild throw from the outfield.
In the fourth, Mars Hill went back on top 3-2 on an RBI single by
Woosley. Tusculum came right back in its half of the inning as
Katie Brennan led off with a walk and Courtney Hutcherson was hit
by a pitch with one out. After a single by Ball loaded the bases,
Kruel delivered a hit into the left-field corner to bring home all
three runners and give Tusculum a 5-3 lead.
Woosley finished 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in all three runs
for the Lions, while Culler was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Ball
reached in all three trips for the Pioneers with two walks and a
single.
Game 2: Tusculum 3, Mars Hill 2
(Box Score)
After the Lions grabbed a 2-1 lead on a two-run home run
by Cori Dew in the fifth inning, Kruel delivered a two-run single
in the bottom of the sixth to drive home the decisive runs.
The Pioneers left the bases loaded in the second, but took a 1-0
lead in the third as Miranda Beeler led off with an infield single
and later scored on a groundout by Tavi Parris.
Tusculum starter Eliza Davis carried the 1-0 lead into the fifth
inning, but a two-out walk to Woosley was followed by Dew's fifth
home run of the season, giving Mars Hill a 2-1 advantage.
The winning rally started with an infield single from Parris,
followed by a misplay on a bunt by Brennan. A groundout moved to
the runners into scoring position, and Kruel brought them in with a
single up the middle. Davis slammed the door in the seventh by
retiring the side in order to close out the win.
Davis (4-7) allowed six hits and two earned runs, striking out
seven and walking two. Mars Hill starter Jamie Booze (7-2) gave up
seven hits and one earned run with three strikeouts and a walk.
Kaytlin Stroinski went 3-for-3 with a double for the Pioneers,
while Jamie Hockaday had three singles in as many trips for the
Lions.