Box score
HARTSVILLE, S.C. --- Paige Coleman
(Thomasville, N.C.) belted a three-run walk-off home run to lead
the Lees-McRae College softball team to a come-from-behind victory
in its day two opener against Mount Olive College in Conference
Carolinas Tournament play on Saturday morning.
The Bobcats used a seventh inning rally to overcome a three-run
deficit and earn the 4-3 victory over the Trojans in an elimination
contest. Laurel Gregg (Mars Hill, N.C.) picked up the victory,
allowing five hits and three runs over seven innings from the
circle.
Five different Trojans tallied base knocks on the day, with
Alyssa Bradshaw and Kalie Smith each picking up an RBI to pace
Mount Olive. Sarah Saunders led the Trojans in the circle,
scattering eight hits and striking out six on the day.
The Trojans struck first in the top of the fourth inning, when
Katie Moore reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on a
passed ball. Smith took advantage, lacing a single to right center
to plate Moore and give Mount Olive the early 1-0 lead. Mount
Olive added a pair of late runs in the top of the sixth and seventh
innings to take a 3-0 advantage into the home half of the
seventh.
Meagan Knowles (West Palm Beach, Fla.) opened the seventh with a
single to left and advanced to third on a Kierstie Moon (Oxford,
Ga.) double to center field, putting runners on second and third
with no outs. Knowles then crossed the plate on a ground out from
Karli Robb (Hayes, Va.) to cut the advantage to 3-1, as Moon
ventured to third with one out.
The Trojans walked Lindsey Huntsinger (Asheville, N.C.) to put
runners on the corners for the Bobcats with one-out in the final
frame. Coleman took advantage of the situation, ripping the ball
over the fence to drive in three and earn the walk-off victory for
the Bobcats.
The Bobcats return to the diamond at 11 a.m. to face off with
the surprise performer of the tournament in eight-seeded Pfeiffer
University, as the teams square off for the chance to play in the
consolation semifinal round against the loser of No. 2 Erskine
College and No. 4 Queens University of Charlotte.
- LMC -
