Softball Splits With Wingate

MARS HILL, N.C. – The Mars Hill softball team split a doubleheader with the Wingate Bulldogs on Friday, March 25 at Ponder Field. Wingate secured game one with a final of 3-0 before Mars Hill took the nightcap 6-5. MHU is now 8-15 overall and 2-4 within the conference while WU is 17-7, 2-2.

GAME ONE

Wingate struck early in the top of the first with a two spot. Following a leadoff out, the next three Bulldog batters reached safely, two hits and a walk, to load the bases. Jamie Booze collected a big strikeout for the second out, but a walk and miscue from the defense allowed the visitors to take the 2-0 lead.

Offense was hard to come by for the Lions as they were only able to muster two hits and draw two walks throughout the first game.

The Bulldogs added a single run in the top of the third and from that point it was all defense with neither team able to string anything together. Mars Hill would threaten in the bottom of the seventh after Erin Vickery drew a walk and Shelby Culler singled to put runners on first and second with one out. However, the next two batters went quietly Wingate took the game 3-0.

Booze pitched a great game for the Blue and Gold, but was tagged with the tough loss, going seven innings and scattering six hits while giving up three runs, two of which were earned.

GAME TWO

The Lions were the aggressor to start the second game, picking up two runs in the first inning. Krista Romine led the game off for Mars Hill with a visit to tater-town for the first time this season. After loading the bases with one out Ragan Broome lifted a ball to left field for a sacrifice fly to stake the home team to a 2-0 lead after one.

MHU posted a single run in the second inning off of heads-up base running from Ally Sherman. She was able to utilize her speed and score on a groundball off the bat of Vickery to push the lead to 3-0.

Wingate got two of those runs back in the top of the third and fourth innings with a RBI double from Taylor Laske and a homerun to right field by Shannen Adams. The Lions went in order in the fourth and WU was back at it in the top of five, posting two more runs to take a 4-3 lead.

The Blue and Gold showed its poise and tied the game again in the bottom of the fifth after another sacrifice fly off the bat of Broome. The Lions were able to go ahead 5-4 with a RBI single from Taylor Lail, but the Bulldogs tied it once again in the top of the seventh with a leadoff homerun from Katie Mclaurin.

With the game knotted at 5-all Jamie Booze started the home half of the seventh with a base knock to center field. Broome reached first on a throwing error from the shortstop and Booze found herself 60 feet away with no outs. However, the next two batters struck out and it was left on the shoulders of pincher hitter, Casey Stanek. Stanek proved to be clutch as she laced a single into left field to score the game winning run.

Shelby Culler picked up the win to improve to 4-2, throwing 2 2/3 innings of two hit, one run ball.

The Lions will return to action on Wednesday, March 30 as they play host to Anderson in a South Atlantic Conference tilt. Game one is set begin at 2:00 p.m.