Mars Hill earns split with No. 23 Lenoir-Rhyne

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (13-16, 5-9 SAC) split with No. 23 Lenoir-Rhyne (24-6, 6-4 SAC), dropping game one by a score of 2-1, but taking game two by a score of 5-1.

GAME ONE: L-R 2, MHU 1

After a pitcher's duel, a late Lenoir-Rhyne home run gave the Bears the game one win.

Trailing 1-0 entering the top of the seventh, Cassidy Wall's two-out two-run home run proved to be the difference maker.

After a scoreless three innings, Farley Park opened the scoring with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth.

Both teams were led by strong pitching performances. Alyssa Poston struck out a career-high 11 in the game, allowing two runs on three hits in the loss. Morgan Beeler earned her 13th win of the season, allowing one run on five hits while striking out 10 in the contest.

GAME TWO: MHU 5, L-R 1

The Lions responded in game two with a five-run fifth inning to earn the split.

After four scoreless innings, Lenoir-Rhyne opened the scoring, capitalizing off of a Mars Hill error that allowed Kaylan Brown to score.

In the bottom of the fifth, with the bases loaded, Farley Park was hit by a pitch, plating Ella Brooks to tie the game. The next batter, Jessica Senn, broke open the scoring with a grand slam.

Senn led all players with two hits and four RBI. Rebekah Howard picked up her third win of the year, striking out eight while allowing one run on five hits.

Mars Hill returns to the diamond on Saturday, March 25 when they face Newberry on the road. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.