Lions split with Carolina University

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (15-25) split with Carolina University (21-16), taking game one by a score of 8-0, but falling in extra innings in game two, 12-8.

GAME ONE: MHU 8, CU 0 - 6 Innings

The Lions held Carolina to just two hits in their game one, run-rule victory.

Mars Hill plated three in the first, highlighted by Maia Sholter's two-run double to right center field, scoring Farley Park and Payton Little. In the third, Micki Maxson recorded a RBI single that scored Sholter to put the Lions up 4-0. 

After plating a run in the fourth, Park hit a two-run home run for the Lions in the bottom of the sixth. Sholter capped the game with a solo blast to center field.

Meghan Murphy led the Lions with three hits, including two doubles. The trio of Park, Little, and Sholter each added two hits apiece while Sholter led all players with three RBI.

Kayla Gallagher earned her seventh win of the season, striking out 10 in the complete game bid.

GAME TWO: CU 12, MHU 8 - 8 Innings

Seventh innings heroics by Payton Little sent the game into extra frames, but Carolina responded to earn the split.

Mars Hill trailed 8-5 entering the bottom of the seventh. Little smashed a three-run home run to tie the game at eight. In the top of the eighth, however, with the bases loaded, Carolina's Grace Johnson blasted a shot over the center field fence for the game-winning grand slam.

Following a RBI single from Danielle Brooks in the top of the first, Grace Andrews put the Bruins up by three with a two-run home run. 

The Lions cut into the deficit in the bottom of the second as both Miranda Marks and Leah Grimes collected RBI. Heading into the bottom of the fifth, down 4-2, Jessica Senn launched a ball over the center field fence for a two-run home run, tying the game at four.

In the sixth, the teams traded solo home runs as Kourtney Cox and Farley Park hit one for their respective teams. Kalea Bolch put the Bruins up by three with a three-run shot over right center field, but was later answered by Little's three-run blast.

Johnson led all players with four RBI while Little led the Lions with three. Park, Little, Senn, and Katie Todd each recorded two hits for the Lions.

Mars Hill wraps up their six-game homestand on Thursday, April 18 when they return to South Atlantic Conference play, hosting Anderson. First pitch at Ponder Field is set for 1 p.m.