Mars Hill sweeps opening day versus Lynn, St. Thomas Aquinas
The Mars Hill softball team (2-0) defeated both Lynn (0-1) and St. Thomas Aquinas (0-2) in their season opening contest by respective scores of 10-9 and 11-7.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (2-0) defeated both Lynn (0-1) and St. Thomas Aquinas (0-2) in their season opening contest by respective scores of 10-9 and 11-7.
GAME ONE: MHU 10, LYNN 9
Mars Hill used a six-run seventh inning to walk it off and win their season debut. Down 9-4 entering the bottom of the frame, Micki Maxson's RBI double was the catalyst for the comeback win. Following two Lynn errors and with two on, Miranda Marks blasted the game-winning home run down the left field line to complete the comeback.
Mars Hill trailed 2-0 entering the bottom of the fourth before Maxson tied the game with a two-run home run to right center field for her first two RBI of the season. Once again trailing by two in the bottom of the fifth, 4-2, Payton Little tied the game with a two-run shot of her own.
Marks and Maxson led all players with two hits and three RBI followed by two RBI from Little. Blyth Freeman earned the win, striking out one in 0.2 innings. Kayla Gallagher struck out seven in 6.1 innings in the start.
GAME TWO: MHU 11, ST. THOMAS 7
Mars Hill completed their second come-from-behind victory of the evening, scoring five runs in the top of the seventh to sweep the day.
After St. Thomas Aquinas scored seven in the bottom of the fifth, a scoreless sixth followed. Meghan Murphy began the comeback bid with a two-run double to right-center field, scoring Payton Little and Micki Maxson.
With two on, Leah Grimes smacked a three-run home run over the center field fence to give the Lions' their second lead of the ballgame.
Grimes opened the scoring for Mars Hill in the top of the second with a two-run double. With the bases loaded later in the frame, Maxson drew a walk to plate Maia Sholter.
Mars Hill extended their lead to four after four as Grimes scored off of a lineout to second. Jessica Senn, in the top of the fifth, hit her first home run of the season, a two-run blast to left field.
Grimes led all players with three hits and five RBI followed by two RBI apiece from Murphy and Senn. Caitlyn Bauer picked up the win with three strikeouts in two innings with just one earned run.
The Lions continue their weekend tournament run when they face Converse at 12 p.m. on Saturday, February 3 followed by their second game against Lynn at 2:15 p.m.
