Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan split the doubleheader against the Lees-McRae Bobcats on Friday afternoon. They took the first game 7-5 before the fell in game two 8-4.
The Warriors collected seven hits in the first game of the day. Both
Faith Bowen and
Emma Jo Wolfe recorded two hits. Bowen went on to record three of the six RBIs of the afternoon. Southern Wesleyan walked twice and
Addi Johnson had a stolen base.
Faith Bowen started game one for the Warriors and pitched a complete game while striking out three batters.
Southern Wesleyan had six hits in the second game of the afternoon with both
Delaney Byers and
Emmy Copeland leading the team with two hits.
Mary Sullivan had a double. Byers had two of the three RBIs. Southern Wesleyan walked twice in the loss.
Emma Collins started the second game of the afternoon and pitched a complete game while striking out four batters.
Game Vitals
Final Game One: Southern Wesleyan 7, Lees-McRae 5
Final Game Two: Lees-McRae 8, Southern Wesleyan 4
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-15 / CC 1-3) Lees-McRae (8-16 / CC 2-4)
How It Happened
Game One
The Bobcats took the first run of the afternoon on a home run off the bat of Powell in the top of the second inning. The Warriors countered right back in the bottom of the inning as
Emma Jo Wolfe hit a home run over the left field wall to tie the game up 1-1.
Southern Wesleyan push ahead to take the lead in the bottom of the third inning. With one out,
Emma Collins doubled to center field and then advanced to third on a wild pitch.
Delaney Byers then walked to put runners at the corners and bring
Addi Johnson up to bat. Johnson reached on an error by first base that allowed Byers to advance two bases and brought
Emma Collins in to score. Johnson then stole second to put both runners in scoring position.
Faith Bowen drilled a home run over the center field wall to bring both Johnson and Byers in and give the Warriors a 5-1 run advantage.
A single and double off the bats of Gast and Foster allowed the Bobcats to come within one run of the Warriors in the top of the fifth inning.
The Warriors were not done. With one out,
Faith Bowen singled to right field.
Lydia Clanton hit a high ball over the right center field wall to bring Bowne in and give the Warriors a 7-4 run lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Lees-McRae challenged in the top of the seventh inning, but Southern Wesleyan walked away with a 7-5 run game one victory.
Game Two
The Bobcats came out swinging in game two as they took an early 2-0 run lead in the top of the first inning.
Southern Wesleyan countered in the bottom of the second. With one out,
Mary Sullivan doubled down the left field line and then advanced to third on a ground out by
Kaitlyn Stewart.
Emmy Copeland hit a single up the middle that allowed Sullivan to come home. A fielding error by the third baseman allowed
Emma Collins to reach first and advanced Copeland to second.
Delaney Byers singled and then advanced to second on a throwing error. The hit and error allowed by Collins and Copeland to come in and score to give the Warriors a 3-2 run advantage.
Lees-McRae picked up the intensity as they brought five runs in to score in the top of the third inning. They scored their eighth run of the game in the top of the sixth inning.
The Warriors challenged in the bottom of the seventh. With one out,
Emmy Copeland singled through the right side and then advanced to second as
Emma Collins singled through the left side.
Delaney Byers drilled the ball to center field for a single that allowed Copeland to score. However, the Warriors fell in an 8-4 final in game two.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain at home on March 26 as they host the Francis Marion Patriots at noon and 2 p.m. for Alumni Day. They will remain at home on March 29 to host the Augusta Jaguars at 3 and 5 p.m. The Warriors will then hit the road to Hartsville, SC to take on the Coker Cobras on March 30.
