CENTRAL, S.C. – The Lees-McRae softball team went 1-1 at Southern Wesleyan in Conference Carolinas play on Saturday afternoon. The Bobcats blanked SWU, 7-0, before the Warriors took game two, 2-1.
Lonna Addison combined for 16 strikeouts over the two games.
GAME #1 BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 7; Southern Wesleyan – 0
LOCATION: Varsity Field – Central, South Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (12-17/7-6), Southern Wesleyan (16-17/6-7)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Hannah Foster led off the first inning with a double to center field and scored on a wild pitch to give Lees-McRae the one-run lead.
- The Bobcats added a run in the fourth with a double down the right field line from McKenzie Presson that scored Brooks Eaddy. Lees-McRae collected another run in the fifth with a RBI single from Lauren Ritchie.
- Shelby Knaak hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to give Lees-McRae the four-run advantage and the Bobcats tacked on three more runs in the seventh. Lonna Addison helped her cause in the circle with a two RBI single up the middle to score Taylor Beurrier and Ritchie. Lily Williams added the seventh and final run for the Bobcats off a single through the right side.
- Addison earned third shutout of the season with seven innings of strong work. Addison struck out 10 batters while scattering three hits and four walks in the game.
- Foster, Knaak, Presson, and Ritchie all tallied two hits in the contest and Addison contributed two RBIs in the victory.
FOR THE WARRIORS:
- Rebecca Lamb, Taylor Palfrey, and Hannah Truett recorded one hit apiece in the contest and Amberly Way suffered the loss for Southern Wesleyan in the circle.
GAME #2 BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 1; Southern Wesleyan – 2
LOCATION: Varsity Field – Central, South Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (12-18/7-7), Southern Wesleyan (17-17/7-7)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- SWU got on the board first in the second game with a two RBI triple from Emmy Copeland in the second inning.
- The Bobcats responded in the third with a double from Foster that scored Morgan Crowe on the play.
- In the fifth, Lees-McRae loaded the bases after Foster drew a five-pitch walk, but Southern Wesleyan got out of the inning with a flyout to center field.
- Southern Wesleyan held Lees-McRae scoreless over the final four frames for the 2-1 win on their home field.
- Logan Zephir was handed the loss after going 2.1 innings pitched and allowing two runs (two earned) on six hits. Addison came in relief and struck out six batters in three and two-thirds innings pitched.
- Crowe had two hits in the contest and Beurrier and Foster chipped in one hit each for the Bobcats.
FOR THE WARRIORS:
- Olivia Haag went the distance for the Warriors in the circle and collected four strikeouts while allowing one run (zero earned) on four hits and two walks.
- Addi Johnson recorded two hits for the Warriors and Copeland had the two RBIs in the contest.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae returns to Banner Elk for the next six games starting on Tuesday, April 9 with King. The Bobcats will clash with the Tornado beginning at 2 p.m. in Banner Elk.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on X (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
