Mars Hill splits with USC Aiken in non-conference doubleheader
The Mars Hill softball team (10-11) split their Monday doubleheader with USC Aiken (6-16), dropping game one by a score of 4-3, but winning game two in extra innings, 3-2.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (10-11) split their Monday doubleheader with USC Aiken (6-16), dropping game one by a score of 4-3, but winning game two in extra innings, 3-2.
GAME ONE: USCA 4, MHU 3
A late Pacers' run secured the win for USC Aiken in game one.
Emily Ayers RBI single in the top of the seventh, her second RBI of the game, plated Jessica Stanley for the game-winning run.
Ayers opened the scoring in the top of the first, reaching on a fielder's choice where Stanley scored her first run of the game. Later in the frame, Mallory Shaver reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Lauren Wexler to extend their lead to two.
Stanley bumped the lead to three in the top of the second with a RBI single up the middle.
Mars Hill tied the game at three with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the fourth. With two runners on, Jessica Senn blasted a home run over the center field wall.
Stanley and Ayers led the Pacers with two hits while Senn led the Lions with two hits and three RBI.
Lakyn Phillips earned her fourth win of the season, striking out 11 while allowing three runs on four hits in the complete game effort.
GAME TWO: MHU 3, USCA 2 (8 Innings)
The Lions struck in the bottom of the eighth to take game two and earn the split.
Tied at two entering the eighth, Jessica Senn's single to left field allowed Meghan Murphy to score the game-winning run.
Mars Hill opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, converting a double steal as Alyssa Poston scored and Maia Sholter advanced to second. In the top of the third, Lauren Wexler's RBI single to center tied the game at one.
The Lions retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth off of a Pacers' throwing error. Wexler, in the top of the fifth, collected her second RBI of the contest with a sacrifice fly to left field.
Kristyn Ezzo secured her second win of the season, striking out four, allowing two runs on five hits.
Mars Hill returns to South Atlantic Conference action on Wednesday, March 8 when they host Catawba. First pitch at Ponder Field is set for 1 p.m.
