Lions sweep Lincoln in home opener
The Mars Hill softball team (6-8) swept Lincoln (1-8) by scores of 5-2 and 10-2 in their 2024 home opener at Ponder Field.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (6-8) swept Lincoln (1-8) by scores of 5-2 and 10-2 in their 2024 home opener at Ponder Field.
GAME ONE: MHU 5, LIN 2
Kayla Gallagher threw a dominant game one, striking out 10 en route to her third win of the season.
The Lions opened the scoring in the bottom of the third as Payton Little drove home two with a single. In the top of the fifth, a Mars Hill error allowed Lincoln to cut the lead in half.
Mars Hill plated three in the sixth, highlighted by Zoie Pistel's two-run home run. Micki Maxson tacked on a RBI double.
Miranda Marks led all players with three hits while Little and Pistel led all players with two RBI apiece.
GAME TWO: MHU 10, LIN 2 - 5 Innings
Mars Hill plated at least one run in each of the five innings played in game two, eight-running Lincoln to cap off the Tuesday sweep.
Leading 2-1 after two, the Lions scored four in the bottom of the third, highlighted by Katie Todd's two-run double to left, scoring Payton Little and Maia Sholter.
After surrendering a solo home run in the top of the fourth, the Lions responded with two solo shots off the bats of Miranda Marks and Leah Grimes. In the bottom of the fifth, following a RBI double off the bat of Pistel, Marks forced a throw to second that allowed Pistel to cross home for the game-ending run.
Grimes, Sholter, Pistel, and Abby King each recorded two hits while Grimes, King, and Todd led all players with two RBI apiece.
Blyth Freeman allowed two runs on five hits, striking out three for her third win of the season.
The Lions open South Atlantic Conference play on Friday, March 1 when they host Anderson. First pitch at Ponder Field is set for 11 a.m.
