Lions fall to No. 18 Young Harris on road
The Mars Hill softball team (7-3) was swept in their doubleheader versus No. 18 Young Harris (10-4) on the road Wednesday, dropping game one by a score of 7-0 and falling in game two, 6-5.
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. - The Mars Hill softball team (7-3) was swept in their doubleheader versus No. 18 Young Harris (10-4) on the road Wednesday, dropping game one by a score of 7-0 and falling in game two, 6-5.
GAME ONE: YHC 7, MHU 0
A six-run third inning proved costly for the Lions as Young Harris surged ahead to claim game one.
With the bases loaded, a walk to Dara Moore plated Karah Straub to give the Mountain Lions the 1-0 lead. Jill Torres then drove in two with a single to right field. Another RBI single, off the bat of Kristan Lizardi, put Young Harris up 4-0. Grace Botti capped off the inning with a two-run single down the left field line.
Haylie Shope's solo home run in the bottom of the sixth put the Mountain Lions up by seven entering the final frame.
Nikkie Kovalsky won her seventh game of the season with a six-hit complete game. She struck out nine on the afternoon. Casey Stanek was credited with the loss, allowing five runs on four hits in 2.2 innings pitched.
GAME TWO: YHC 6, MHU 5
Young Harris scored five unanswered runs, including two in the bottom of the seventh, to complete their sweep of Mars Hill.
Trailing 5-1 entering the bottom of the sixth, the Mountain Lions scored three to pull within one. Carly Rigsbee started the streak for Young Harris with a RBI single to right field. Morgan Curley followed up with a RBI single of her own to cut the Lions' lead to two. With the bases loaded, Jill Torres drew a walk, plating Curley.
Curley, in the bottom of the seventh, reached first on an error that allowed Maddie Urquiola to score the tying run. Emily Harris' infield single plated Kristan Lizardi for the game-winning run and to complete the comeback.
The Lions' Hannah Smith smashed a two-run home run to put Mars Hill up early after the first inning of play. With the bases loaded in the top of the second, Ashley Collins fielder's choice allowed Addison Harris to score, putting Mars Hill up by three. Ragan Broome added another run on the board for the Lions with a fielder's choice that saw Taylor Nilsson cross home.
Urquiola put the Mountain Lions on the board in the bottom of the third with a RBI double to left center field. Broome responded for Mars Hill in the top of the fourth with a RBI double of her own to put Mars Hill up 5-1.
Kovalsky picked up her second win of the day, pitching one inning and striking out two. Christiana Marasa suffered the loss, allowing two runs on four hits in 1.1 innings pitched.
Mars Hill returns to action on Friday when they kickoff day one of the Lander Round Robin. They open up the day with a 1:30 pm contest versus Lees-McRae and conclude the day with a 6 p.m. tilt against Lander.