Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan split the series against the Carson-Newman Eagles on Thursday afternoon. The Warriors claimed game one in a 6-3 final before dropping game two 8-4.
The Warriors picked up six hits in game one with Olivia Haag leading the team with two. Both Avery Mercer and Rebecca Lamb had doubles, and Haag hit a triple. Haag went on to have three of the team's six RBIs. Southern Wesleyan walked twice and both Addi Johnson and Talissa Cannady were hit by pitches. Olivia Haag pitched a complete game on the mound and struck out five batters.
Southern Wesleyan collected seven hits in the second game against the Eagles. Taylor Palfrey led the team with two hits. Hannah Truett had a double and Addi Johnson tripled. Avery Mercer hit a home run to right field. Mercer walked twice, and the Warriors stole four bases. Taylor Palfrey led the team with two steals with both Talissa Cannady and Olivia Haag following with solo steals. Amberly Way started game two on the mound and pitched five innings while striking out two batters.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Southern Wesleyan 6, Carson-Newman 3
Game Two Final: Carson-Newman 8, Southern Wesleyan 4
Records: Southern Wesleyan (10-8) Carson-Newman (10-10)
How It Happened
Game One
The Eagles struck quickly in the top of the first inning as Dye hit a two run home run over the left center field wall. They extended their lead to 3-0 off a double down the right field line by Lucero.
Southern Wesleyan countered in the bottom of the first inning. Taylor Palfrey led off with a walk and then advanced to second when Addi Johnson was hit by a pitch. Avery Mercer hit a double down the right field line to bring Palfrey in to score. With two runners in scoring position, Amberly Way hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring Johnson home to put the Warriors down 3-2 to the Eagles.
The next few innings were a pitching dual between Olivia Haag and Ferguson as each pitcher struck out the side.
The Warriors pushed on in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, Amberly Way walked. Emmy Copeland came in to pinch run for Way and then advanced to second base on a single to right field by Talissa Cannady. With two on, Hannah Truett hit a single up the middle to load up the bases. Olivia Haag drilled the ball to deep right center field for a triple that cleared the bases. With two out, Rebecca Lamb came to pinch hit for Madison Truett and hit a double to left center field to give the Warriors a 6-3 run victory in the first game of the day.
Game Two
Southern Wesleyan started strong in the second game of the series. Taylor Palfrey led off with a single and then stole second base. Addi Johnson hit a triple to right center field to bring Palfrey in to score. A wild pitch then scored Johnson to give the Warriors a 2-0 run lead.
In the top of the second inning, Carson-Newman challenged as an error in right field allowed Dye to come in to score to cut Southern Wesleyan's lead in half.
The Eagles pushed on as they scored three more runs in the top of the third inning to take a 4-2 run advantage.
Avery Mercer put the Warriors within one run of the Eagles in the bottom of the third inning as she hit the ball over the right field wall for a home run.
Carson-Newman scored again in the top of the fourth inning. However, the Warriors countered in the bottom of the fourth inning to stay within one run. Hannah Truett led off with a double and then advanced to third base when Olivia Haag hit a single to left field. With two out, Haag stole second base. Taylor Palfrey singled to third base to bring Truett in to score.
The Eagles scored again in the top of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to win game two in an 8-4 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will kick-off Conference Carolinas action on March 11 as they travel to Belmont, NC to take on the Belmont Abbey Crusaders. They will remain on the road on March 12 as they take on the Georgia College Bobcats. The Warriors will host the Young Harris Mountain Lions on March 15.
