March 30, 2009

MARS HILL, N.C. - Paige Brantley (Raleigh, N.C.) picked up two victories in a Mars Hill doubleheader sweep of North Greenville Monday afternoon at Ponder Park. Mars Hill won the first game 2-1 in eight innings and the second game 2-0.

The Lions improve to 17-13 overall and have now won six consecutive games. The Crusaders drop to 10-14 overall.

Brantley, now 5-4, came out of the bullpen in game one and threw one and two-third innings, allowing no runs on one hit. She started the second outing and threw a complete game, giving up no runs on eight hits while striking out eight batters.

The first game was a pitcher's duel between starters Tiffany Farthing (Kure Beach, N.C.) from Mars Hill and Kristyn Smith (Walhalla, S.C.) of North Greenville, but the Lions struck first in the bottom of fourth inning.

Hayley Brannon (Spartanburg, S.C.) hit a solo homerun to left field. Her first longball of the season gave the Mars Hill a 1-0 lead.

Karli Taylor (Taylors, S.C.) tied the game in the top of the seventh inning with a homer to center field. The homerun was her second of the season.

However, Ashley Seawell (Asheboro, N.C.) drove home the game-winning score in the bottom of the eighth inning. She singled up the middle, plating Lindsey Barrier (Salisbury, N.C.) to give the Lions the win.

Farthing, who today was voted this week's South Atlantic Conference Pitcher of the Week, threw six and one-third innings before giving way to Brantley. She allowed one run on six hits while striking out 10 batters in the no decision.

Smith, now 6-6, dropped game one for the Crusaders. She pitched seven and one-third innings and surrendered two runs on five hits while striking out seven batters.

Mars Hill struck first in game two in the bottom of the first inning. Brannon singled through the left side, scoring Seawell to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage.

Jade Bullins (Danbury, N.C.) then took Taylor Roof (Chester, S.C.) deep in the bottom of the fourth inning to give Mars Hill a two-run cushion. The homerun was Bullins' first of the season.

Roof dropped game two for North Greenville. She threw six innings and allowed two runs on four hits while striking out four batters.

Mars Hill will host Lenoir-Rhyne for a doubleheader Wednesday at Ponder Park. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

Boxscore...

#####