Mars Hill sweeps Montreat for fifth straight win
The Mars Hill softball team (12-5) earned their fifth straight win with a sweep over Montreat (11-11) Tuesday afternoon at Ponder Field, taking game one by a score of 2-1 and game two, 13-3 in five innings.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (12-5) earned their fifth straight win with a sweep over Montreat (11-11) Tuesday afternoon at Ponder Field, taking game one by a score of 2-1 and game two, 13-3 in five innings.
GAME ONE: MHU 2, MON 1
With the game tied entering the bottom of the sixth, Mars Hill took their first and only lead of the contest off of a Sydney Craig solo home run. Craig's game-winning hit was her first career home run.
In the top of the third with the bases loaded, the Cavaliers took the 1-0 lead when Abby Swilley was hit by a pitch, plating Kelsey Nolasco.
The Lions tied the game in the bottom of the fourth as Craig recorded her first career RBI off of a double down the right field line. Jordan Harris scored the tying run.
Both Craig and Cassidy Allen led the Lions with two hits apiece.
Mars Hill starting pitcher Casey Stanek carried a no-hitter into the top of the seventh and with two outs, Nolasco's single up the middle broke the bid. Stanek picked up her seventh win of the season, allowing one run on one hit and striking out four in the complete game performance.
Josie Harris was credited with the loss, allowing one run on two hits in one inning pitched.
GAME TWO: MHU 13, MON 3
Mars Hill used a six-run fifth inning to earn the sweep over Montreat, taking game two by a score of 13-3.
Earlier in the frame, Brookelyn Nanney's two-run double plated Danielle Harris and Krista Romine to put the Lions up 9-3. Maggie Langheim's single into left field plated Nanney and later in the inning, with runners on first and second, Jordan Harris' three-run home run to right center field plated the game-winning runs.
Montreat opened the scoring in the top of the first when Victoria Hill plated Aly Woody and Kelsey Nolasco with a two-run single. The Lions battled back in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead, with the catalyst being Taylor Nilsson's solo home run to left center field.
Singles from Romine and Nanney provided Mars Hill the one-run advantage entering the third. Following a scoreless third inning, the Lions added four runs in the fourth, highlighted by Langheim's three-run home run to center field that plated Romine and Nanney.
A sacrifice fly by Graclyn Green scored Nolasco for the Cavaliers' third run of the contest.
Romine and Langheim each recorded three hits in the contest while Langheim led all players with four RBI. Nanney and Harris added three RBI apiece. Montreat's Nolasco went 3-for-3 while scoring two runs.
Christiana Marasa picked up the win, allowing one run on three hits in four innings pitched. Charlie Smith suffered the loss, allowing three runs on six hits in three innings pitched.
Mars Hill takes to the road on Thursday, March 14th when they face Converse. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.