Mars Hill splits with Belmont Abbey

BELMONT, N.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (9-9) split with Belmont Abbey (8-5), falling in game one by a score of 5-4, but taking game two by a mark of 8-4 Tuesday afternoon.

GAME ONE: BAC 5, MHU 4

The Lions trailed 4-2 entering the top of the seventh before tying the contest at four. Maia Sholter's solo home run was the catalyst for the comeback bid. Later in the frame, a Crusaders' error allowed Zoie Pistel to score the tying run.

Belmont Abbey took advantage of the Lions' lone error of the contest in the bottom of the seventh, scoring the game-winning run.

The Crusaders led 4-0 after five innings, highlighted by Sydney Pon's two-run single in the bottom of the fifth. Payton Little's two-run double in the top of the sixth broke the shutout bid.

Little led all players with three hits and led the Lions with two RBI. 

GAME TWO: MHU 8, BAC 4

The Lions scored eight unanswered to earn the split Tuesday afternoon.

Trailing 4-0 entering the top of the fourth, Maia Sholter hit her second home run on the day; a three-run blast to right center. Leah Grimes, in the top of the fifth, matched Sholter with a three-run home run of her own to give the Lions the 6-4 lead. Later in the fifth, Micki Maxson's sacrifice fly plated Farley Park.

Maxson struck again in the top of the seventh with a solo home run to right center.

Grimes and Sholter led all players with two hits and three RBI apiece.

Blyth Freeman was credited with the win, throwing 4.1 scoreless innings, striking out four.

Mars Hill returns to South Atlantic Conference play on Thursday, March 7 when they host Anderson. First pitch is set for 1 p.m at Ponder Field.