Offense Powers Sweep of Mount Olive

MARS HILL, N.C. – The Mars Hill softball team scored 26 runs in a doubleheader sweep of Mount Olive, claiming the opening game 11-5 and completing the sweep with a 15-14 triumph in a wild nightcap. The Lions are now 4-0 on the 2014 season.

Game 1: Mars Hill 11, Mount Olive 5

Mars Hill got on the board with six runs in the first inning. Robyn Stanek hit a three-run home run to give the Lions a 3-0 lead. Later in the inning, Shaundee Woosley hit the second three-run home run of the inning for a 6-0 Mars Hill lead. The Lions added a run in the second inning on a Jamie Hockaday single that plated Stanek.

Mount Olive plated four runs in the third inning, with two coming on a Tiffany Hawley two-run home run.  Mars Hill got one of the runs back in the bottom half of the frame as Woosley scored on a Trojan error. In the fifth inning, Mount Olive got a run on a bases-loaded walk with one out, but Shelby Culler got out of the inning after a flyout and strikeout.

Mars Hill relied on the longball for their final three runs of the game. Cori Dew hit her first collegiate home run to start the inning, with Aleshia Peek capping of the four home run output with a two run blast over the right field fence. The Lions finished with four home runs.

Woosley led the Lions in game one, going three-for-four with a double, home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. Stanek went two-for-four with a double, home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. Dew and Hockaday each had a pair of hits.

Taylor Hussey picked up her second win of the season, allowing four runs, two earned, on six hits. Jamie Booze picked up the save, walking one and striking out a batter while allowing two hits in two innings of work. Madison Johnston was charged with the loss as she allowed five runs on one hit with three walks without retiring a batter.

Game 2: Mars Hill 15, Mount Olive 14

The Trojans began the high-scoring affair with a run in the first inning on a Kalie Smith single before plating six runs in the third inning thanks to a Beth Overman two-run home run and RBI singles by Tiffany Hawley and Savannah Becker, an RBI double from Erin Brogan and a Mars Hill error.

Mars Hill answered emphatically with seven runs in the bottom half of the frame. Brittany Gibson reached on a one out double and scored on a Taylor Burkhalter. Burkhalter scored on a wild pitch from Mount Olive starter Carly White. Robyn Stanek scored on an error by Trojan left fielder Kelsey Akers. Shaundee Woosley doubled home Jamie Booze and Jamie Hockaday, with Woosley crossing the plate on a Cori Dew base hit. Dew scored on a Kyara Porche single before Mount Olive was able to get out of the inning.

The Trojans got a run back in the fourth thanks to a Smith single. In the home half of the frame, Woosley doubled home two runs and scored on a Lauren Saller single. Mount Olive added a run in the fifth inning on a bases-loaded walk and tied the contest in the sixth on a Smith home run.

Mars Hill broke the tie in the bottom of the inning as Stanek led off with a home run. Jamie Hockaday followed with a double and scored on an Erin Vickery single. Mount Olive mistakes allowed three runs to score, with Aleshia Peek and Woosley scoring on a dropped fly ball, while Porche scored on a throwing error to wrap up the five run inning.

The Trojans didn't go quietly in the seventh despite two quick outs. Katie Moore reached on a single and advanced to second on a Tiffany Hawley single. Moore and pinch runner Ashleigh Mason scored on a Mars Hill error to cut the lead to 15-12. Jennifer Jones hit a two-run home run homer to cut the Lion lead to a run, but Shelby Culler got a groundout to end the game.

Woosley went three-for-four with three runs scored and four RBIs, while Hockaday went three-for-four with three runs scored and one RBI. Stanek and Burkhalter each had two hits.

Tyler Miles earned her first collegiate win, White was charged with the loss.

Mars Hill is back in action on Thursday with a home doubleheader against Salem International. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.