Pitching key in Lions' season opening sweep of Southern Wesleyan
The Mars Hill softball team (2-0) opened up the 2019 campaign with a sweep of Southern Wesleyan (0-2), taking game one by a score of 2-1 and game two by a score of 5-2 Saturday afternoon on the road.
CENTRAL, S.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (2-0) opened up the 2019 campaign with a sweep of Southern Wesleyan (0-2), taking game one by a score of 2-1 and game two by a score of 5-2 Saturday afternoon on the road.
GAME ONE: MHU 2, SWU 1
Casey Stanek's solid pitching performance led the Lions to a 2-1 win in their first game of the 2019 season. After giving up a leadoff home run to Emma Collins in the bottom of the first inning, Stanek allowed only four hits while striking out 10 for the complete game victory.
The Southern Wesleyan lead was short-lived as a solo home run from Jordan Harris tied the game in the top of the second inning.
Following a scoreless third and fourth inning, Mars Hill scored the game-winning run in the top of the fifth. With a runner on third and one out, a sacrifice fly from Danielle Harris allowed Taylor Nilsson to score and give Mars Hill the 2-1 lead.
Stanek's clutch pitching shown in the final three innings. Of the last nine outs in the contest, she struck out seven and struck out six of the last seven batters faced to clinch the 2-1 win.
Delanie Laudenbacher suffered the loss, allowing two runs on four hits.
GAME TWO: MHU 5, SWU 2
With the game tied at one entering the top of the third and runners on second and third, a RBI groundout by Ashley Evans scored Christiana Marasa to put Mars Hill ahead 2-1. They extended their lead to three runs in the top of the fifth inning.
Following a solo home run from Ragan Broome, the Lions scored their fourth run of the contest off of a wild pitch. The Warriors cut the deficit to two with a bases loaded walk.
Jennifer Poston added an insurance run with a RBI double in the top of the sixth inning.
Broome, Marasa, and Addison Harris each had two hits while the Lions racked up 11 in game two.
Marasa earned the win, allowing three hits and two runs in 4.1 innings pitched. Ashton Martin allowed two runs on six hits in the loss.
The Lions open their home schedule on Sunday, February 3rd when they host Winston-Salem State at Ponder Field. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m.