Softball Splits With Queens

MARS HILL, N.C. – The Mars Hill softball team split a pivotal doubleheader with Queens University on Saturday, April 16 at Ponder Field. The Royals took game one by a final of 8-1 before the Lions captured the nightcap, 8-7. MHU is now 14-23 overall and 6-12 in the SAC while Queens is 20-23, 9-9.

GAME ONE

Queens jumped on the board early, loading the bases with one out. A passed ball and a base hit propelled the Royals to an early 2-0 lead. Starting pitcher Shelby Culler minimized the damage, striking out the side. The Lions threatened in the bottom of the first, filling the bases with one out. Krista Romine displayed a keen eye, coaxing a two-out walk to force in the first run for MHU, cutting the deficit to 2-1 after one.

The Royals manufactured a single run in the second to extend their lead to 2-1. The Blue and Gold were presented with a golden opportunity in the bottom of the third after Ragan Broome led off with a double. However, that is as far as she would get as the Lions failed to connect on a clutch hit, leaving the game at 3-1.

Single runs in the fifth and sixth accompanied by three in the seventh gave the Royals all the support they need, taking game one by a final of 8-1.

Broome and Jonas led the way offensively for the Lions, each collecting two hits apiece. Shelby Culler dropped to 6-6 after she was tagged with loss in game one. Culler tossed six innings while giving up 10 hits and five runs, three earned. She collected a season-high seven punch-outs.

GAME TWO

A bases loaded walk in the top of the first gave Queens a quick 1-0 lead in game two. The game became a standstill from that point forward as neither offense could gain a definitive advantage.

However, the Lions were able to take their first lead of the afternoon in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jamie Booze led the frame off with a solid lick up the middle and Coral Foster added a hit to put runners on first and second with one out. Back-to-back RBI singles from Emily Crouse and Ally Sherman and a double laced down the left field line by Ragan Broome gave the home team a 3-1 advantage after four.

That lead did not last long as the Royals came back in the top of the fifth with six runs, including a two-run homerun to center field off the bat of Elaina Frantellizzi to retake the lead, 7-3.

With their collective backs against the wall, down four runs with only two at-bats left, the Lions' offense came to life. Following a leadoff out, the next seven batters reached base safely, including four singles and a double to give the Blue and Gold an 8-7 lead.

Casey Stanek picked up the win, shutting the Royals down in the top of the seventh to preserve the 8-7 win. Stanek is now 1-2 on the year as she pitched 1 2/3 innings while not giving up an earned run.

Broome continued her impressive afternoon, collecting three more hits in game two to finish with five on the day. Krista Romine added two RBIs in the win.

The Lions will be back in action tomorrow as they play host to the Limestone Saints. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.