Softball Splits Pair Of Games To Open Season

MELBOURNE, FLA. – The Mars Hill softball team opened the 2016 season with a split in a pair of games at the Florida Tech/Marriott Classic. The Lions were able to prevail in the first game by defeating Lynn University 9-3, before falling to the host Panthers in game two, 8-0 in five innings.

GAME ONE

The Lions wasted no time putting a run up on the board as they were able to plate an early score in the top of the first. With two outs and a runner on first, Erin Vickery laced a single through the right side of the infield and a throwing error on the right fielder allowed Krista Romine to score from first base to stake the Blue and Gold to an early 1-0 lead.

Lynn had its first scoring opportunity in the bottom half of the second inning. After a leadoff single, two groundouts were able to advance the runner to third with two outs. A soft fly ball to center by the next batter looked to be trouble, but Patricia Thompson showed her range and made a spectacular diving catch, putting the ball in her back pocket and preserving the Lions' lead.

MHU carried the momentum into the dugout as it was able to load the bases with only one out in the top of the third. Shelby Culler stepped to the dish and scorched a single to right field that was able to push across another run, however, due to unfortunate base running, the Knights were able to limit the damage to a single run. Mars Hill led 2-0 after two and a half.

LU was able to cut the deficit in half during the home-half of the third as it pushed across one run on three hits, but stranded two runners on the base pad.

A barrage of runs accompanied the bats of the Lions in the top of the fifth inning, breaking the game open with a six-run outburst. Three consecutive singles began the inning before Culler ripped a double to left field to score a run. Two errors from the Knights defense and a base knock from Hollie Norris allowed three more runs to cross the plate. Booze added the crushing blow of the inning with a perfectly placed triple down the right field line that scored the frame's final two runs. The Lions now garnered a commanding 8-1 lead.

MHU was able to add another run in the sixth. Following a leadoff double from Vickery, she was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Ellen Tillman. Lacee Hunsucker roped the first pitch she saw down the left field line that was able to score Vickery.

LU tried to make things interesting as it put up two runs in the sixth, but the deficit was too much to overcome as the Lions took the game 9-3.

Culler picked up the win going four innings, allowing four hits, one run, while striking out two. Vickery led the way at the dish for the Lions as she went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Booze and Culler each drove in two runs.

GAME 2

After a stellar offensive performance in game one, runs seemed to be hard to come by for the Lions against FIT.

The Blue and Gold threatened to score right away in the top of the first as Patricia Thompson singled up the middle following a fly out to start the game. She quickly moved to second with a stolen base, but that would be the end of the threat as two fielder's choices put a stop to the inning.

After the Panthers were set down in order in their half of the first, MHU looked to strike again as two consecutive singles from Ellen Tillman and Jamie Booze to open the second poised the Lions to break through with a run. However, once again, the chance faded quickly when the next three batters were retired in succession.

Florida Tech took full advantage of the Lions' misfortunes and scratched across two runs each in the second and third, three in the fourth and one in the fifth to finish the game 8-0 in five innings.

Thompson went 2-for-3 from the plate to lead the Lions offense. Sydney Elkin was tagged with the loss as she went 2 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and four earned runs.

The Lions will be back in action tomorrow for day number two of the tournament as they play Flagler at 11:30 a.m. before concluding with Palm Beach Atlantic at 2:00 p.m.