Lions win season opener versus Maryville at LMU Tournament

HARROGATE, Tenn. - The Mars Hill softball team (1-0) opened their 2021 season with a 10-8 win over Maryville (0-1) Saturday afternoon as part of the Lincoln Memorial Tournament.

The Lions used a seven-run second inning to fuel their victory.  Entering the top half of the inning trailing 2-1, a double from Micki Maxson plated Alexis Nix to tie the game at two.  Kenley Powell put the Lions up 3-2 with a single that scored Brookelynn Nanney.

Miscues for Maryville throughout the inning saw Mars Hill pile on the runs, capped off by a Maggie Langheim sacrifice fly to right, plating Ashley Evans, putting the Lions up 8-2.

The Saints clawed back into the game pulling within one off of Alyssa Callans' three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth.  Mars Hill added two insurance runs in the sixth as Alicia Wittenhagen drew a bases loaded walk followed by a Langheim RBI single.

Mars Hill recorded 10 runs on six hits while the Saints plated eight on 10 hits.

Kelsie Hardester was slated with the loss, allowing seven runs, three earned, on three hits in one inning pitched.  Marissa Adame picked up the complete game victory, striking out two in her Mars Hill debut.

The Lions return to action on Sunday, February to wrap up the LMU Tournament with another game versus Maryville.  First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.