Mars Hill splits day one of FMU Winter Wrangle
The Mars Hill softball team split their two games on Saturday, February 24 as part of the FMU Winter Wrangle. The Lions were downed by UVa-Wise, 10-1, but rebounded with a 10-6 victory over host Francis Marion.
FLORENCE, S.C. - The Mars Hill softball team split their two games on Saturday, February 24 as part of the FMU Winter Wrangle. The Lions were downed by UVa-Wise, 10-1, but rebounded with a 10-6 victory over host Francis Marion.
GAME ONE
The Lions were down early in game one of the FMU Winter Wrangle versus UVa-Wise, giving up four runs in the first inning. Kaylee Jones got the Cavaliers on the board with RBI double. Shannon Bennett's two-out triple plated Jones along with Samantha Ely and Lucindy Lawson.
In the bottom of the second, a RBI groundout from Nikki Smith gave the Cavaliers a 5-0 lead. Mars Hill got on the board in the top of the fourth inning when a Kayleigh Jonas RBI double scored Christiana Marasa to snap the shutout bid.
UVa-Wise answered immediately and loudly in the bottom of the inning, scoring five more runs. Lawson started the scoring with a RBI single through the right side. Bridget Henzel's sacrifice fly scored Ely. Another RBI single from Taylor Creasey brought Jones in to give the Cavaliers an 8-1 edge. A two RBI double to right-center field from Monica Brandts put UVa-Wise in double-figures.
The Lions went down in order to start the fifth inning with back-to-back groundouts to third from Bobbi Jones and Hollie Norris. Ragan Broome struck out to end the contest in five innings.
Marasa led the Lions with hits in each of her two at-bats, contributing for half of the Mars Hill offense. Smith had two hits for the Cavaliers to lead in that category. Bennett led all players with three RBIs.
Brandts earned the victory for the Cavaliers, allowing one run on four hits and striking out four. Marasa suffered her second loss of the year, allowing four runs on three hits in one inning pitched.
GAME TWO
In a reverse of fortunes, the Mars Hill offense came alive in game two versus host Francis Marion.
Tied 1-1 after one, the Lions reeled off four runs in the top of the second to carry a 5-1 lead into the third inning. A RBI single from Ragan Broome allowed Taylor Lail to score. Shae Condon advanced to third. Broome advanced to second while Krista Romine got on base from a Francis Marion throwing error. With the bases loaded and two outs, Ashley Evans cleared the bases with a double to left-center field, scoring Broome, Romine and Christiana Marasa.
The Lions added five more runs in the next inning from a two RBI double off the bat of Broome and two RBI single from Marasa. Evans picked up another RBI in the game reaching first on a fielding error that allowed Marasa to cross home plate for the Lions' 10th run of the game.
Chelsea Welty's two-run homerun pulled the Patriots within seven in the bottom of the inning. Trailing 10-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh, Francis Marion attempted a comeback bid, but ultimately fell short. Scoring three runs in the inning off of a Sam Chiudina three-run homerun, Brittany Duncan was able to get the necessary three outs to earn the victory.
Broome and Evans each had two hits and three RBIs in the contest. Marasa added two. Chiudina on her lone hit of the contest, led the Patriots with three RBIs. Welty, Jessica Harney and Karson Parker each had two hits.
Casey Stanek earned her second win of the season, allowing six runs on 11 hits in six innings pitched. Sydney Holland, allowing six runs off of seven hits in 2.2 innings pitched, picks up her second loss of the season.
Mars Hill improves to 3-3 on the season after day one. UVa-Wise sits at 4-1 while Francis Marion falls to 8-5.
The Lions return to the field on Sunday, February 25 facing off against UVa-Wise at 10 a.m. and concluding the FMU Winter Wrangle with a 2 p.m. game against Francis Marion.
