Mars Hill opens 2020 season on road versus Limestone

GAFFNEY, S.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (0-2) kicked off their 2020 campaign, falling in both games versus Limestone (2-0) Tuesday afternoon on the road.

GAME ONE: LC 5, MHU 4

A four-run fourth inning for the Saints propelled Limestone to their first win of the season.  After plating the first run of the game in the bottom of the first, a RBI single from Marli Hanks doubled the Limestone lead.  The Saints added two runs off of a sacrifice bunt.  After the initial run scored, a Mars Hill error saw Limestone's Olivia Chapman come home for the fourth run of the contest.

Despite trailing by five entering the fifth, the Lions began to claw back into the contest.  Ashley Evans' sacrifice bunt plated Shae Condon to break the shutout bid.  

The Lions used the long ball in the final two innings to pull within one, but ultimately falling short.  Maggie Langheim recorded a solo home run to center field in the top of the sixth while Emiley Burriss slammed a two-run home run over the left field wall to plate Evans in the top of the seventh.

Taylor Nilsson led the Lions with three hits in the game followed by Langheim's two.  Caroline Ruth was credited with the win, striking out four and allowing eight hits in the complete game effort.  Ashley Collins was credited with the loss, allowing five runs on five hits while striking out seven.

GAME TWO: LC 7, MHU  3

Limestone once again used a four-run inning to clinch a victory over the Lions, coming in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Two RBI doubles off the bats of Shianne Turner and Eryn Butler in the fourth gave the Saints the 2-0 edge.  Mars Hill took the lead in the top of the fifth.  Following a catcher's interference call with the bases loaded that saw Hannah Smith cross home, back-to-back walks plated Brookelynn Nanney and Cassidy Allen, respectively, to put the Lions up 3-2.

Another RBI double from Limestone, coming from Vic Brewington, tied the game at three after five.  Butler broke the deadlock with her second RBI of the game, a single into left center field that scored Madison Chappell.  After a Lions' wild pitch allowed Turner to score, Brewington drew a bases loaded walk to put Limestone up 6-3.  The Saints added one more run with a RBI single from Olivia Chapman.

Turner led all players with three hits in the game followed by Butler's two.  Haley White struck out four and allowed three hits in the winning effort.  Jennifer Poston was tagged with the loss, allowing six runs on nine hits in five innings pitched.

Mars Hill takes to the road on Saturday, February 8 when they square off against North Greenville.  First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.