HICKORY, N.C. --- The No. 18 Lenoir-Rhyne
University softball team held Lees-McRae College to seven hits and
one run en route to a doubleheader sweep on Wednesday afternoon in
non-conference play.
Lenoir-Rhyne (12-2) walked off with a five inning 8-0 victory in
game one, before defeating Lees-McRae (4-7) by a score of 8-1 in
the nightcap. The Bears tallied 17 hits in the twin-bill, clubbing
three home runs and five extra-base hits on the afternoon.
Lori Fulmer (Prosperity, S.C.) led the way for the Bobcats with
two hits and a double, as Kierstie Moon (Oxford, Ga.) drove in the
lone run of the day for Lees-McRae. Kim Coley (Marion, N.C.), Karli
Robb (Hayes, Va.), Kristen Oakes (Lenoir, N.C.), Brooke Sheridan
(Rosman, N.C.), and Mercedes Northrop (McDonough, Ga.) each tallied
a hit for the Bobcats.
Laurel Gregg (Mars Hill, N.C.) got the nod in game one, allowing
six hits and walking five in four innings of work. Holli
Crickenberger (Boydton, Va.) took the ball in the fifth inning,
surrendering back-to-back home runs to invoke the eight-run
rule.
Gregg made the start in game two, allowing four runs on three
hits through three innings. Crickenberger threw two innings in
relief, surrendering one run on two hits, as Oakes tossed the final
frame of the contest, allowing four hits and walking two.
Hally Jarman paced the Bears with a 5-for-6 day, as Sarah Atkins
posted three base knocks and launched two home runs. Jessica
Fellmeth went 3-for-3 on the afternoon, as Jody Mizelle added a
pair of hits. Jarman, Atkins, and Fellmeth each drove in four runs
as Jarman scored five runs.
Dawon Millwood threw five shutout innings in game one,
scattering two hits and three walks while striking out eight.
Lauren Harris took the ball in the nightcap, allowing one run on
four hits in five innings of work. Millwood threw the final two
frames, surrendering one hit and striking out four.
Game One: Lenoir-Rhyne 8, Lees-McRae 0 (5 innings) - Box Score
The Bears kicked off the day with two runs in the bottom of the
second, taking a 2-0 lead on an RBI single by Fellmeth and a
sacrifice fly by Shania Johnson. Lenoir-Rhyne added three runs in
the third, pushing the lead to 5-0 on a bases-loaded walk by
Fellmeth and a two-run single by Brittany Coursen.
After Mizelle stretched the advantage to 6-0 in the fourth with
a run-scoring single to right center, Jarman and Atkins launched a
pair of solo home runs in the bottom of the fifth to walk off with
an 8-0 win.
Game Two: Lenoir-Rhyne 8, Lees-McRae 1 - Box Score
Lenoir-Rhyne struck first in the bottom of the opening inning,
when Jarman laced a single up the middle to score Mizelle and give
the Bears an early 1-0 lead. The Bobcats answered in the top of the
third, evening the tally at 1-1 when Moon launched a sacrifice fly
to center, scoring Amanda Decker (Apex, N.C.) from third after
Sheridan singled to second.
The Bears responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning,
taking a 4-1 lead on a fielder's choice by Atkins and a two-run
single by Fellmeth. Jarman pushed the margin to 5-1 in the fifth
with an RBI triple, before the Bears plated three runs in the
bottom of the sixth on a run-scoring double by Jarman and a two-run
home run by Atkins. Millwood shut the door in the seventh, striking
out two of the final three batters to seal the victory.
Lees-McRae returns to the diamond on Saturday when the Bobcats
travel to Mars Hill, N.C. to take on Mars Hill College in a
non-conference doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
- LMC -
