SAC, AstroTurf present MHU Senior Spotlights, Pt. 1

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – In light of the recent events of the COVID-19 pandemic that canceled the remainder of the 2020 South Atlantic Conference spring sports seasons, the SAC along with its corporate partner AstroTurf, will be presenting the SAC AstroTurf Senior Spotlights. These highlights will showcase the spring sports teams at each of our 12 institutions and will give fans a brief overview of the team's shortened season, while highlighting the 2020 senior student-athletes on each team.

We continue our AstroTurf Senior Spotlights with the Mars Hill University Lions and the softball, men's and women's lacrosse, and men's track and field teams. 

SOFTBALL

Mars Hill softball posted a 2-10 record under the direction of new head coach, Christine Roser.  The Lions picked up wins over Chowan and King during the 2020 campaign.

Cassidy Allen followed up her junior year with another stellar outing at the plate, leading the team with a .409 batting average and .458 on-base percentage.  Allen collected nine hits in 22 at-bats including one double. 

Taylor Nilsson, who spent two years with the Lions, was a fixture in center field.  The speedy senior possessed a cannon of an arm and was a threat for any baserunner attempting to stretch out their hit.  Nilsson struggled from the plate during 2020, batting .188, however, when on base, led the Lions with two stolen bases.

Shae Condon was the emotional sparkplug for The Hill over her four years.  The infielder appeared in eight games for Mars Hill in her final campaign, playing both second and shortstop. 

Emiley Burriss posted a career-year in such a short time during the 2020 season.  The senior catcher posted career-highs in home runs (4), RBI (9), and batting average (.303).  She led the team in HRs and slugging percentage (.667) highlighted by a two-HR game versus Carson-Newman.

Hannah Smith appeared in five games for the Lions.  As a DP, Smith was selected as an All-SAC Honorable Mention following the 2019 campaign.

Brittany Duncan appeared in five games during her final season at The Hill.  She started one game and picked up four strikeouts while also posting the lowest ERA for the team.

2020 Mars Hill Lions Softball Seniors

WOMEN'S LACROSSE
In their third year of competition, the Lions women's lacrosse team were on pace for their best season yet, posting a 4-4 record, going 1-0 in the SAC.  Mars Hill was led offensively by freshman Alexa Tazzetta's 29 points (22 goals, 7 assists), placing eighth in the SAC.

Both Lions' seniors, Molly Tobias and Carissa Watson, laid the foundation for this program and its future successes.

Tobias wrapped up her career at The Hill by recording 12 points (8g, 4a) in eight games.  She placed second on the team in draw controls (25) and shots on goal percentage (93.8). 

Watson, the ultimate team player, appeared in four games for the Lions this season in various roles. Whether on attack or defensively, Watson slotted in and assisted the team by any means necessary.

2020 Mars Hill Lions Women's Lacrosse Seniors

MEN'S LACROSSE
The Lions men's lacrosse team went 3-5 in their shortened 2020 campaign, opening the season in blizzard-like conditions versus Montevallo.  Mars Hill picked up wins over Lees-McRae, Emmanuel, and Shorter.  Offensively, the Lions were led by junior Zac Carrigan and senior Spencer Andrews, both recording 31 points.

Andrews (22 goals, 9 assists), ranks fourth in the SAC in points scored and fifth in goals.  The senior's standout game came against Lees-McRae, posting nine points on six goals and three assists, while also collecting three groundballs.  

Devin Thorpe has been a defensive stalwart for the Lions over his four years.  Thorpe appeared in all eight games for the Lions this season and collected a season-high five groundballs on the road versus Lander.

Tremain Hill's game grew considerably over his time at The Hill.  The aggressive attacker netted 11 goals and added five assists.  He, along with Andrews, posted his best game of the year versus Lees-McRae, recording five points on three goals and two assists.

Jayson Moorman saw exponential growth in his lacrosse skills over his three years.  The speedy midfielder scooped up 14 groundballs in eight games while also causing three turnovers.  Moorman, a dual-sport athlete (soccer) will play his final season on the pitch and will graduate in the fall of 2020.  He also serves as Mars Hill's co-president of the SAAC.

Wright appeared in all eight games for the Lions this season, netting four goals and two assists.  A leader both on and off the field, Wright posted a season-high two points with a goal and an assist versus Lander to conclude February.

2020 Mars Hill Lions Men's Lacrosse Seniors

MEN'S TRACK & FIELD
The Lions placed 11^th at the SAC Championships this season, highlighted by Tyler Holloway's shot put performance.

Holloway placed fourth overall with a mark of 13.75 meters.  The senior's best performance came at the Buccaneer Track and Field Invitational, recording a mark of 13.84 meters for a personal best.

The trio of Bryan Barbee, James Benik, and Skyler Cantrell have been figureheads for both the cross country and track and field teams.  Barbee turned in a season-best 4:55.30 in the mile run at the Buccaneer Track and Field Invitational.

Benik specialized in the 3,000-meter while Cantrell nabbed a 16^th place finish at the 2020 SAC Indoor Track and Field Championships in the 5,000-meter with a time of 16:34.06. 

Jones, a thrower for the Lions, also served as a dedicated member to the Mars Hill chapter of the SAAC.

2020 Mars Hill Lions Men's Track & Field Seniors

AstroTurf is an official corporate partner of the South Atlantic Conference and title sponsor of the Conference's Player of the Week awards program.