Stanek throws no-hitter versus Lander, Lions split day two of Lander Round Robin

GREENWOOD, S.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (8-5) split day two of the Lander Round Robin, falling to Lees-McRae (5-5) by a score of 8-4 in game one, but responding with a 2-0 win over Lander (12-6) in game two Saturday afternoon.

GAME ONE: LMC 8, MHU 4

Lees-McRae used the long ball to come from behind and sweep their weekend series versus Mars Hill, putting together back-to-back four-run innings to take Saturday's contest by a score of 8-4.

Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Katie Robinson approached the plate with the bases loaded and no outs.  Robinson, with one swing of the bat, tied the game with a grand slam for the Bobcats.  

In the bottom of the fifth, the Bobcats launched two separate two-run home runs to extend their lead to 8-4 in the late stages of the contest.  Kara Cunningham and Robinson hit the home runs for Lees-McRae.

Mars Hill took the early 2-0 lead in the top of the first.  Singles from Hannah Smith and Casey Stanek each plated runs following errors by the Lees-McRae outfield.  Ragan Broome, who scored the first run of the game, extended the Mars Hill lead to three with a RBI single in the top of the second.  In the top of the fourth inning, Maggie Langheim's first career home run put the Lions up by four.

Robinson went 2-for-3 on the day with two home runs and six RBI.  Broome and Stanek each had two hits for the Lions.

Cassidy Largen picked up the win, going five innings and allowing two runs on five hits.  Brittany Duncan suffered the loss, giving up two runs in 0.1 innings pitched.

GAME TWO: MHU 2, LAN 0

To earn the split on Saturday, Casey Stanek pitched the first no-hitter of her career as the Lions came away with the 2-0 win over Lander.

Stanek, after allowing a walk in the first inning, settled in and delivered her most effective performance of the season.  Wrapping up the fourth inning with her second consecutive one-two-three inning, the Lions provided the senior pitcher run support.

In the top of the fifth inning with one out, Jordan Harris launched a solo home run to give Mars Hill the 1-0 lead.  The Lions added another run in the top of the sixth as Emiley Burriss hit a solo home run for her first of the season.

Stanek clinched the complete game shutout in the bottom of the seventh, retiring the side to collect the first no-hitter of her decorated career.

Stanek won her fourth game of the season, striking out two while Abby Killian was credited with the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in seven innings pitched while striking out five.

Mars Hill returns to action on Wednesday, March 6th when they take on UVa-Wise on the road.  First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.