March 29, 2009

WINGATE, N.C. - The Mars Hill softball team swept a doubleheader over the Bulldogs of Wingate University in South Atlantic Conference action Sunday afternoon. Mars Hill (15-13 overall, 4-2 SAC) defeated Wingate (19-10-1 overall, 4-2 SAC) 8-5 in the first game and 4-3 in game two. The Lions have now won four consecutive games.

Junior outfielder Anna James (Bellevue, Wash.) was two-for-three with three RBI to lead the Mars Hill attack. Junior infielder Rebekah Huff (Mars Hill, N.C.) was four-for-five with a RBI and a run scored for the Lions, who had 13 hits in the first game.

Junior catcher Debra Grijalva (San Jose, Calif.) was two-for-four with two RBI to lead the Wingate attack while junior outfielder LaRonda McClain (Kings Mountain, N.C.) was three-for-four with a RBI and a run scored.

The Lions plated a pair of runs in the first inning, getting a two-run double from James. Wingate cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning on a RBI single from Grijalva.

The Bulldogs tied the game at two when senior outfielder Heather Winchester (Waxhaw, N.C.) singled and then scored on an error.

Mars Hill regained the lead in the third on a RBI single from senior infielder Jenny Hoyt (Rose Hill, Kan.). The Lions plated four runs in the fourth to take a five-run lead. RBI singles from senior infielder Ashley Harber (Goose Creek, S.C.) and James got it started. Freshman infielder Hayley Brannon (Spartanburg, S.C.) capped the scoring with a two-run single to make it 7-2.

Wingate cut into the lead in the fifth, getting RBI singles from McClain and Grijalva to make it 7-4. Winchester scored on another Mars Hill error in the sixth to make it 7-5. The Lions added an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI single from Huff giving Mars Hill a three run cushion.

Junior Tiffany Farthing (Kure Beach, N.C.) got the win, allowing two earned runs on seven hits in four and one-third innings of work while striking out three. Junior Paige Brantley (Raleigh, N.C.) got the save, allowing one unearned run on one hit in 2.2 innings of work. Sophomore Brittany Blankenship (Midlothian, Va.) took the loss, allowing seven earned runs in seven innings while striking out three.

Huff was three-for-four with a run for the Lions in game two. Harber was two-for-four with a RBI and a run scored. Senior third baseman Hallie Pettigrew (Uniontown, Ohio) was three-for-four with a run scored to lead the Wingate offense. McClain also had a pair of hits and two runs scored.

Wingate jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, with McClain scoring the first run on an error. Pettigrew would then come around to score on an RBI single from junior first baseman Leyila Myers (Marietta, Ga.).

Mars Hill got on the board in the fourth on a RBI single from sophomore pitcher Tara West (Urbana, Ohio) to make the score 2-1 in favor of the Bulldogs.

The Lions plated two more runs in the fifth. Harber tied the game with a RBI single. Mars Hill took the lead on a RBI double from James. The Lions added a run in the sixth when Farthing scored on an error to make the score 4-2.

The Bulldogs plated a run in the seventh when McClain scored on a RBI groundout from Grijalva. Wingate had the tying run on third but was unable to get the run across.

West got the win, allowing one earned run on eight hits in seven innings while striking out six. Blankenship took the loss, allowing three earned runs on 10 hits in seven innings while striking out five.

Mars Hill will host North Greenville for a doubleheader Monday at Ponder Park. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

Boxscore...

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