Softball Ends Season With Split At Coker

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Mars Hill completed the 2016 season with a split at Coker College on Saturday, April 23. The Lions captured game one by a score of 5-0 before falling in game two 12-7. MHU finishes the season 16-27 overall and 7-15 in the SAC while Coker finishes 15-32-1.

GAME ONE

Both offenses were stagnant over the initial two innings, pressed to try and push a run across the board. That would not be the story in the top of the third as the Lions found its way at the plate, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. With one out and a runner on first, Kayleigh Jonas ripped a double to left center to put runners on second and third with a single out. A perfect bunt by Broome followed by double down the right field line by Vickery spotted the visitors the first lead.

The Cobras went quiet in their half of the third, leaving an opportunity for the Blue and Gold to extend their lead. That is just what they did. Back-to-back hits kicked the inning off and starting pitcher Shelby Culler helped herself with a double down the left field line, plating the first run of the inning. A sacrifice fly from Jonas added another run and Mars Hill led 5-0 after four.

That is all the support Culler would need as she pitched an absolute gem, tossing a complete game shutout, to improve to 8-7 on the season.

Vickery led the charge at the dish in game one, collecting two hits and two RBIs. Culler added two hits and an RBI of her own.

GAME TWO

Coker was the aggressor in game two, putting up ten runs over the first two innings to take a commanding 10-0 lead. CC posted four runs in the first with three of those coming off a homerun from Maria Williamson.

The Lions attempt at a comeback started in the top of the third as they posted a pair of runs on two hits, a walk, and an error. Mars Hill continued to chip away at the Cobra lead, scoring four more runs in the fourth and one in the fifth. A bases loaded walk and sacrifice fly led way to a two-RBI single from Taylor Lail. Ellen Tillman provided the offense in the fifth with a leadoff homerun.

Unfortunately, Coker plated two runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend the lead to 12-5 and that would be as close as the Lions would come, dropping the nightcap by that same score.

Casey Stanek fell to 2-4 on the season as she lasted only a third of an inning while giving up four hits and three runs.