Lions Pounce Early and Hold On Late Against Crusaders

TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The Mars Hill Lions softball team defeated the North Greenville Crusaders on Monday, February 22 by a score of 6-3. The afternoon slate of games was supposed to be a twin-billing, but Mother Nature caused the second game to be called in the third inning, which makes it not an official game.

The Lions wasted no time putting runs on the board in the first inning. After a double by Kaleigh Jonas to lead off the game, two consecutive strikeouts poised the Crusaders to escape the inning unscathed. However, Erin Vickery singled to drive in Jonas and came around to score following a botched ball the NGU's second baseman. Ragan Broome drove in the final run of the inning with a line drive base hit to give the Lions a 3-0 lead after one-half inning.

North Greenville was finally able to scratch across a run in the home-half of the third after playing a game of small ball. Following a walk and a passed ball the Crusaders advanced the runner to third on a sacrifice bunt and she came in to score on a groundout.

Mars Hill went quietly in the fourth and NGU was able to knot the game at 3-all with a two-run double posted by Kate Lee.

The fifth inning was quiet for both teams, but the Lions were back on the prowl in the sixth and seventh frames. With two outs and the bases loaded in the sixth, Jonas produced the go-ahead RBI with a sharp single. Vickery added much-needed insurance in the top of the seventh. Following a double to start the inning by Krista Romine, Vickery came to the plate and launched a ball over the wall for a two-run shot.

NGU tried to muster a rally in the bottom half of seven with a leadoff single, but the next three batters were retired in order to preserve the game one win for the Lions, 6-3.

Vickery led the charge at the plate going 3-for-4 with three runs driven in. Jonas and Broome added two hits and one run batted in each. Sydney Elkin was declared the winner of game one as she came in and pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief, giving up three hits and no runs. She improves to 3-3 on the season while Carson O'Donald took the loss and falls to 4-2.

The Lions will return to action on Saturday, February 27 as they travel to Due West, S.C. to take on their second consecutive Conference Carolinas team in Erskine. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 1 p.m.