West Point, G.A. - Southern Wesleyan took both games in their season opener on Friday in 2-0 and 6-0 final scores. 

In game one, the Warriors posted six hits. Megan New led the team with two hits. Delaney Byers, Emma Collins, Ashton Martin, and Riley Herdliska each collected one hit apiece. New and Jaliyah Sanford had one RBI each. Sanford also had two stolen bases for the Warriors. Southern Wesleyan had 13 strikeouts in the win, all coming from Delanie Laudenbacher, who pitched all eight innings. 

Southern Wesleyan collected nine hits in the game two victory. Delaney Byers and Taylor Le led the team with two hits each. Jaliyah Sanford, Megan New, Emma Collins, Haley Bertie, and Ashton Martin each contributed one hit. Byers, New, and Le picked up RBIs while the team drew six walks total. Byers would have her first home run of her sophomore season, while Martin picked up her first double of 2020. Sanford, Martin, and Le each had a stolen base. The Warriors posted 12 strikeouts in game two. Seven coming from winning pitcher, Ashton Martin, who pitched four innings and five coming from relief, Emma Collins.

Game Vitals

Game One Final: Southern Wesleyan 2, Point 0

Game Two Final: Southern Wesleyan 6, Point 0

Coach Adkins Says...

"The first thing you think about reflecting on the two games is the fact that we didn't allow any runs. That is primarily due to the growth that Coach Murray has been able to get with our pitching staff. Offensively, we definitely were off time a little. Give credit to their pitchers as well. I feel as this team plays more games, the timing will continue to improve. But I tell you, I really like the potential this team has. We have a great group of athletes here. I am looking forward to addressing some mistakes we made and playing a whole bunch of games next week."

How It Happened

Game One 

The first seven innings were a pitching duel between Delanie Laudenbacher and Allie Beilstein. The Warriors threw 13 strikeouts in game one and allowed only one hit and three walks. The game would go into extra innings after no score had been recorded in seven innings.

In the top of the eighth, Jaliyah Sanford would reach on a Skyhawks error. This would advance Haley Bertie who was placed on second to start the inning due to the international tiebreaker rule. Bertie would go on to score due to the error and the Warriors would lead 1-0. Sanford would steal second before Megan New would drive her in with a single up the middle. The Warriors would retire the Skyhawks first three batters of the bottom of the eighth and would go on to win the game, 2-0.

Game Two

Ashton Martin would double at her first at bat in the second game, while Taylor Le would follow with a single to advance Martin to third. While Jaliyah Sanford was batting, Martin was able to steal home and put the Warriors ahead 1-0. Delaney Byers solo homerun would extend Southern Wesleyan's lead to 2-0 after the top of the third inning. 

In the fourth inning, Bethanie Perrine would come in to pinch run for Martin who earned the walk. Perrine advance to second and third on back to back passed balls from the Skyhawks. Le came up with a single to score Perrine. Le would advance to third after Sanford's walk and would go on to score after a dropped third strike on Lydia Clanton's at bat. Megan New's single scored Sanford and the Warriors would head into the fifth inning with a 5-0 lead. 

Le would reach on an error from Point's second baseman in the top of the fifth. Sequoia Wingfiled came in to pinch hit and drew a walk. Following Wingfield was Sanford who would reach on another error from second base and Le would score to give the Warriors a 6-0. They would go on to win the game to collect the sweep. 

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will remain on the road as they travel to Aiken, S.C. to take on the USC Aiken Pacers on February 11 at 4 and 6 p.m. They will then take part in the Cottrell Foundation Tournament on February 13-15 at North Georgia University.