HARDEEVILLE, S.C. – Julie Gast collected three hits in today's doubleheader as the Lees-McRae softball team picked up the 5-2 victory in game one at USC Beaufort before falling 5-4 to the Sand Sharks in game two.
GAME #1 BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 5; USC Beaufort – 2
LOCATION: Richard Gray Stadium – Hardeeville, South Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (10-5/0-0), USC Beaufort (5-13/0-6)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Megan Powell opened the scoring for the Bobcats in the top of the first inning with a double down the left field line that plated Jordyn Scott. Emma Jackson followed two batters later with a double to score Powell and give Lees-McRae the early two-run advantage.
- Gast cleared the bases with a three-run double to right center in the fourth inning as the Bobcats pushed their lead to 5-1 with Rebecca Grovdahl, Shelby Knaak, and Lauren Ritchie all touching home plate.
- Powell shut down the USCB bats in the final three innings for the complete-game victory in the circle for the Bobcats. Powell went seven innings while surrendering two runs (one earned) on five hits and striking out five Sand Sharks on the afternoon.
FOR THE SAND SHARKS:
- Daryn Miller had a multi-hit game for USC Beaufort and recorded one RBI in the game one loss.
- Emily Williams suffered the loss for the Sand Sharks going 3.1 innings pitched while allowing four runs (four earned) on four hits.
GAME #2 BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 4; USC Beaufort – 5
LOCATION: Richard Gray Stadium – Hardeeville, South Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (10-6/0-0), USC Beaufort (6-13/0-6)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Ashlyn Alte secured the walk-off victory for the Sand Sharks in game two of Monday's doubleheader with a two RBI double to right center.
- USCB jumped out to an early one-run lead, but the Bobcats answered quickly in the top half of the second with a two-run home run via Ritchie.
- The Sand Sharks regained the lead in the third inning with two runs of their own at 3-2 and shut down Lees-McRae in the fourth.
- Morgan Crowe started the fifth inning rally for the Bobcats with a leadoff single and advanced to third on a throwing error. Grayson Buckner tied the contest at three runs with a sacrifice fly to center field and Crowe rounded home on the play.
- Lees-McRae took the one-run lead in the sixth with Gast coming in the clutch with a two-out single through the left side as Taylor Buerrier came in to score for the Bobcats.
- The Sand Sharks used a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh with USCB's Alte driving in two runs for the 5-4 decision on Monday afternoon.
- Ritchie tallied two RBIs with her second home run of the season for the Bobcats.
- Jada Wilson was given the loss for Lees-McRae after going 6.2 innings while giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and striking out seven Sand Sharks.
FOR THE SAND SHARKS:
- Alte had three RBIs and the game-winning hit for USCB in today's 5-4 victory. Freeman followed with two hits and one RBI and Jaci Coleman joined her fellow Sand Sharks with two hits.
- Caitlin Toole earned the win for USC Beaufort after holding the Bobcats to one run (one earned) on four hits in three innings of relief.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae continues their spring break trip as the Bobcats will now face Flagler on Wednesday, March 8 for a twin bill.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
