Lions split with Chowan in home opener

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (6-7) split their 2021 home opening series with Chowan in non-conference action Sunday afternoon.  The Lions won game one, 5-3, but fell 7-2 in game two.

GAME ONE: MHU 5, CU 3

Marissa Adame's strong outing led the Lions' to the game one win, striking out 13 batters.

After going down 1-0 in the top of the first, Maggie Langheim's two-run bomb to center field put the Lions up 2-1 in the bottom of the first.  

Delaney Devor tied the game with a RBI double in the top of the second.  In the top of the fourth, a Mars Hill error allowed Paige Wilhelm to score, taking the 3-2 lead.

In the bottom half of the frame, Ashley Hamlin's two-run single up the middle plated Adame and Sydney Craig to retake the lead, 4-3.  Langheim added an insurance run in the fifth with her second home run of the game, a solo shot to left center field.

The Lions outhit the Hawks, 10-5 with Langheim, Craig, and Hamlin each recording two.  Adame allowed two earned runs on five hits for her fourth win of the season.

GAME TWO: CU 7, MHU 2

The Hawks used a five-run fifth inning to earn the split Sunday afternoon by a score of 7-2.

Already up 4-0, Hannah Eden's three-run home run to left field pushed the advantage to seven.  

A Chowan error in the bottom of the sixth allowed Maegan Blair and Kiley Bennett to cross home.

Meredith Morgan opened the scoring in the top of the third with a RBI double.  In the top of the fourth, Mikayla Luskin doubled the lead with a RBI double to left field.

Eden and Delaney Devor led the Hawks with two hits apiece while Eden led all players with three RBI.  Ashley Evans led the Lions with three hits.

The Lions return to South Atlantic Conference action on Tuesday, March 9.  The home doubleheader is set for a 12 p.m. first pitch.