Lions wrap up FMU Winter Wrangle with split on day two

FLORENCE, S.C. - The Mars Hill softball team concluded the FMU Winter Wrangle on Sunday afternoon, picking up another split on the day and finishing the weekend with a 2-2 record. The Lions fell to UVa-Wise 6-5 in the first game of the day, but came back with a 2-0 victory over Francis Marion.

GAME ONE

Leading 5-4 in the top of the sixth inning, Mars Hill conceded two runs to the Cavaliers and fell by a 6-5 score in game one of the second day of the FMU Winter Wrangle.

With two runners on and one out, Samantha Ely doubled to right-center field to drive in Zoe Millard and Ava Hockey to put UVa-Wise up late in the contest. The Lions mustered three hits in their final two at-bats, unable to regain the lead and dropping their second game against the Cavaliers in as many days.

Mars Hill opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning, scoring three runs. With the bases loaded and two outs, Ragan Broome doubled to right-center field, clearing the bases. Danielle Harris, Emiley Burriss and Shae Condon scored the runs that put Mars Hill up 3-0 after two.

The lead was short-lived as the Cavaliers tied the game in the top of the third. Julia Hoy, with the bases load, singled to left-center field, plating Ely to put UVa-Wise on the board. Bridget Henzel repeated Hoy's effort, scoring Kaylee Jones to cut the lead down to one. Hockey then grounded out in the next at-bat, scoring Taylor Creasey to tie the game.

Once again, the lead changed in the bottom half of the inning. Following two singles from Ashley Evans and Kayleigh Jonas, a double from Harris into left-center field scored Evans to give Mars Hill the 4-3 edge entering the fourth inning.

Ely, with her first RBI of the contest, tied the game once more in the top of the fourth inning with a single up the middle, plating Nikki Smith.

Mars Hill took their final lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs and Addison Harris on second, Jonas reached first on a fielding error from Smith, allowing Harris to score to put Mars Hill up 5-4 heading into the fifth inning.

Zoe Millard led all players with three hits in the game. Ely had two hits and three RBIs. Broome led the Lions with three RBIs in the contest. Evans, Harris and Christiana Marasa each had two hits for Mars Hill.

Ashleigh Nalls earned the victory for the Cavaliers, pitching five innings and allowing five hits. Casey Stanek picked up the loss, pitching four innings and allowing two runs on three hits. She struck out a game-high five batters.

GAME TWO

Scoreless after five innings, Mars Hill struck for two runs in the top of the sixth inning to pick up their second win over Francis Marion on the weekend and end the weekend with a .500 record (2-2).

After Hollie Norris singled to lead off the inning, Ragan Broome reached first on a fielder's choice and later advanced to second on a throwing error from Chelsea Welty. Christiana Marasa reached first on a throwing error, allowing Broome to score. Marasa advanced to third. Kayleigh Jonas plated Marasa with a sacrifice fly to give Mars Hill their second run of the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Patriots had runners in scoring position with Sam Chiudina on third and Jessica Harney on second with two outs. Marasa got out of the inning when Jaimie Harney lined out to Cassidy Allen to end the threat.

Marasa earned the complete game victory in the bottom of the seventh, allowing one hit and stopping the Francis Marion push to give the Lions their fourth win of the season.

In a pitching duel, Marasa earned her second victory of the season, striking out five batters and allowing four hits in the shutout. Sydney Holland struck out four and allowed four hits, also pitching seven innings. Holland suffered her third loss of the year. 

The Lions improve to 4-4 on the year while UVa-Wise goes to 5-2 . Francis Marion falls to 9-7 on the season.

Mars Hill hosts King on Tuesday, February 27 at Ponder Field for a double-header. First game is scheduled for 1 p.m.