Mars Hill earns split with Montreat
The Mars Hill softball team (12-20) split with Montreat (23-7), falling in game one by a score of 11-9, but run-ruling the Cavaliers, 15-6, in game two.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (12-20) split with Montreat (23-7), falling in game one by a score of 11-9, but run-ruling the Cavaliers, 15-6, in game two.
GAME ONE: MON 11, MHU 9
Despite a late rally, the Lions fell short of the come-from-behind win in game one.
Mars Hill led 3-0 after the first inning, highlighted by Micki Maxson's RBI double. The Cavaliers responded in the top of the third, plating five. Leah Grimes' two-run home run in the bottom of the third tied the game at five.
A four-run fifth from Montreat put the Cavaliers up 9-5. Amayia Hernandez cleared the loaded bases with a double, collecting three RBI. In the bottom half of the inning, Payton Little's RBI groundout plated Grimes for the Lions' sixth run of the contest.
After Makayla Reid's two-run home run in the top of the sixth, a Cavaliers' error in the bottom of the inning allowed Meghan Murphy to score, putting the Lions down by four. Jessica Senn, in the bottom of the seventh, blasted a two-run home run to pull within two.
Maxson went a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate while Senn led the team with three RBI. Reid led all players with four RBI. Kayla Gallagher struck out 10 in the contest.
GAME TWO: MHU 15, MON 6 - 5 Innings
Mars Hill responded in game two, using an 11-run fourth inning to run-rule Montreat.
Trailing 6-2 entering the third, Payton Little's RBI groundout plated Leah Grimes, advancing Farley Park to second. Jessica Senn's single to center plated Park to pull the Lions within two.
Grimes' three-run home run in the fourth was the catalyst for the Lions' offense. Little and Micki Maxson each recorded RBI singles while Park, later in the frame with the bases loaded, plated all three Lions with a double to left center field.
Meghan Murphy, who homered in the second, hit her second of the day; a two-run blast.
Maia Sholter went a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate while Little followed with three hits. Grimes, Park, and Murphy each racked up three RBI.
Blyth Freeman picked up her seventh win of the season, allowing three earned runs on eight hits in five innings thrown.
Mars Hill returns to action on Wednesday, April 3 when they face Coker on the road. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
