Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan split the series against the Claflin Panthers on Wednesday afternoon. The Warriors took the first game as they run-ruled the Panthers in a 12-3 final score. They then dropped game two in a 7-5 final score.
The Warriors picked up ten hits in game one. Taylor Palfrey, Avery Mercer and Amberly Way each had two hits. Mercer, Hannah Truett and Madison Truett each doubled. Mercer and Riley Wilson each picked up their first home runs of the season. Mercer led the team with six RBIs. Behind her Hannah Truett had three and Riley Wilson had two. Southern Wesleyan walked seven times and stole five bases. Palfrey and Talissa Cannady each had two steals, and Madison Truett had one. Amberly Way started game one and pitched five innings while striking out three batters.
Southern Wesleyan had five hits in the second game of the afternoon. Addi Johnson hit a home run and led the Warriors with two RBIs. The Warriors walked two times and stole five bases. Taylor Palfrey led the team with two steals. Johnson, Talissa Cannady and Chalee Rope each had solo steals. Olivia Haag started game two on the mound and pitched seven innings while striking out eight batters.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Southern Wesleyan 12, Claflin 3
Game Two Final: Claflin 7, Southern Wesleyan 5
Records: Southern Wesleyan (9-5) Claflin (3-6)
How It Happened
Game One
Southern Wesleyan started strong in game one as Taylor Palfrey led off with a single to left field. Palfrey stole second and then Addi Johnson walked. Avery Mercer hit the ball deep to left center field, but it just stayed inside the park for a double. Her double brought both Palfrey and Johnson in to give the Warriors a 2-0 run lead. Amberly Way followed with a single that allowed Mercer to advance to third. A walk to Talissa Cannady loaded up the bases. Hannah Truett hit a double to left field to clear the bases and extend Southern Wesleyan's lead to 5-0.
Claflin countered in the top of the third inning as a single by Baskerville allowed Tate to come in to score.
The Warriors would not relent their attacks on the Panthers' defense. Talissa Cannady led off the inning with a single through the left side and then stole second base. An error by the first baseman allowed Hannah Truett to reach and Cannady advanced to third. Olivia Haag hit a sacrifice fly out to center field that allowed Cannady to come in to score. With one out, Riley Wilson came up to bat and drilled the ball over the left field wall to bring Hannah Truett in to score. Southern Wesleyan was not done as Madison Truett hit a double to left field. A single by Taylor Palfrey allowed Madison Truett to advance to third. Palfrey then stole second and then Addi Johnson walked to load up the bases. With the bases full of Warriors, Avery Mercer drilled the ball over the center field wall to extend the Warriors lead to 12-1.
The Panthers challenged in the top of the fifth with a home run by Fenwick, but the Warriors would walk away with a 12-3 game one victory.
Game Two
Like in game one, the Warriors took the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning. Taylor Palfrey reached on an error by the shortstop and then stole second base. With two outs, Palfrey stole third and then came in to score on a throwing error by the catcher.
Claflin tied the game up in the top of the second inning as a single by Fluellen allowed Jones to score. They went on to take the lead in the top of the third inning.
The lead was short lived as Southern Wesleyan fought back in the bottom of the third inning. Taylor Palfrey led off the inning with a single, but was taken off the bases as Addi Johnson reached on a fielder's choice. Johnson stole second, but was then caught stealing third base to take her off the bases. With two outs, Avery Mercer walked. Amberly Way reached on an error that allowed Mercer to come in to score to tie the game up 2-2.
The Panthers took the lead again as Jackson stole home in the top of the fifth inning.
Southern Wesleyan would not relent as they regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Madison Truett led off the inning by hitting a single through the left side. Chalee Roper came in to pinch run and then stole second base. With one out and Roper at second, Addi Johnson hit a home run over the left field wall to put the Warriors on top 4-3.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Warriors attacked again. Talissa Cannady led off with a walk and then stole second base. A fly out by Hannah Truett allowed Cannady to advance to third. Abby Schreiner flew out to left field to bring Cannady in to score.
However, in the top of the seventh inning, the Panthers brought in four runs to score off a single by Cooper and triple by Baskerville to allow Claflin to win the game in a 7-5 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will hit the road on February 23 as they travel to Wise, VA to take on the UVA Wise Cavaliers. They will remain on the road on February 28 to take on Clark Atlanta at 1 and 3pm. The Warriors will return to Varsity Field on March 9 to host the Carson-Newman Eagles.
