Posted: Apr 15, 2009
small_tif.jpg)
MARS HILL, N.C. --- The Mars Hill College softball team
swept a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader against visiting
Tusculum College on Wednesday at Ponder Park, defeating the
Pioneers 7-3 in game one before taking the nightcap 13-2 in five
innings. With the win, Mars Hill improves to 25-15, 11-3 in SAC
play, while the Pioneers fall to 12-28 and 3-11 in conference
action.Holli Cadenhead led the way for the Pioneers at the plate, going 2-for-2 in game two with an RBI double. Freshman Phlyscia Powell paced Tusculum with two RBIs, both in game one, as Rachel Hopper, Jessica McKee and Cadenhead chipped in one RBI on the day.
Cadenhead (7-16) made the start for the Pioneers in game one and pitched the first two innings. Ali Hansen came in and threw the last four frames without allowing a run. Hansen (2-7) then got the nod in game two, pitching the first one and two-thirds innings before Cadenhead relieved her. Cadenhead threw the final two and one-thirds frames for the Pioneers.
Ashley Seawell led the way for the Lions with a 5-for-7 day, scoring four runs and driving in three for Mars Hill. Ashley Harber, Anna James, and Hayley Brannon each had three hits while Jade Bullins drove in a team-high five runs on a pair of home runs in game two.
Mars Hill's Tiffany Farthing (9-3) pitched the full seven innings in game one for the Lions, allowing three runs on three hits with three strikeouts. Paige Brantley (7-4) allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits in five innings with three strikeouts to earn the win in game two.
Game One: Mars Hill 7, Tusculum 3
Mars Hill opened the scoring early in game one, pushing across five runs on three hits and three Pioneers errors in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run double by Seawell. The Lions then plated two runs in the second on a solo homer by Seawell and an RBI single by Brannon to push the lead to 7-0.
Tusculum trimmed the lead to 7-2 with a pair of runs in the fifth stanza on Powell's one-out two-run double that plated Makenzie Loy and McKee. The Pioneers scored another run in the seventh on McKee's first home run of the season before Farthing recorded the final two outs of the inning to seal the win.
Game Two: Mars Hill 13, Tusculum 2 (5 innings)
Tusculum got off to a good start in game two, scoring twice in the top of the first on an RBI double to right by Cadenhead before Hopper plated her with a single down the left field line.
Mars Hill answered back with a nine-run second inning, sending 15 batters to the plate and dropping in eight hits, highlighted by Bullins' two-run shot over the left field wall. The Lions extended the lead to 13-2 with four runs in the third inning, including Bullins' second two-run home run of the day, this one to center field.
The Pioneers return to the field on Saturday when they host Newberry College at Red Edmonds Field to conclude their SAC schedule. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.
- TC
-
