Duncan, SC - Southern Wesleyan claimed the play-in round victory as they took down the UNC Pembroke Braves 6-5 to allow them to advance to the double elimination segment of the tournament. They dropped their next game against the North Greenville Crusaders in a 16-3 final score.
In the morning contest against the Braves, the Warriors collected eight hits. Taylor Palfrey led the team with three hits while Amberly Way was right behind her with two hits. Both Way and Madison Truett doubled and Avery Mercer hit a home run over the left field fence. Southern Wesleyan walked six times. Olivia Haag started the game on the mound and pitched 5.1 innings while striking out three batters. Jaelyn Montfort came in to pitch in relief and struck out two over 1.2 innings pitched to claim the win.
The Warriors totaled five hits in the loss to the Crusaders of North Greenville. Both Olivia Haag and Hannah Truett hit doubles, and Riley Wilson recorded a triple. Southern Wesleyan walked three times and Addi Johnson stole a base. Jaelyn Montfort started game two and pitched two innings. Both Amberly Way and Ella Grace Lawton came in to pitch in relief.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Southern Wesleyan 6, UNC Pembroke 5
Game Two Final: North Greenville 16, Southern Wesleyan 3
Records: Southern Wesleyan (21-27) UNC Pembroke (21-26) North Greenville (35-18)
How It Happened
Game One: #7 Southern Wesleyan vs #10 UNC Pembroke
The Braves threatened with two outs in the top of the second inning as Locklear drilled the ball to right center field, but Taylor Palfrey collected the ball and fired it off to shortstop Addi Johnson who quickly turned the ball over to third baseman Riley Wilson to gain the third out and keep UNC Pembroke from taking the early lead.
UNC Pembroke took the first run of the game in the top of the third inning as a triple by King allowed Sibbett to come in to give the Braves a 1-0 run lead.
Southern Wesleyan tied the game up in the bottom of the third inning. Taylor Palfrey reached first on an error by the shortstop. She advanced to third base as Madison Truett hit the ball to deep right center field for a double. With one out, Oliva Haag ground out to second to bring Palfrey in to score to tie the game up 1-1.
The Braves regained the lead in the top of the fourth inning. A single by Rose brought Wilkes in to put UNC Pembroke bake on top. They attempted to extend their lead further on a deep fly by Locklear but Riley Brown drove out and caught the ball mid air to keep Locklear from bringing in another run.
Southern Wesleyan answered and then took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Taylor Palfrey led off the inning by laying down a bunt single. With two outs, Olivia Haag walked to move Palfrey to second base. Avery Mercer drilled the ball to the second baseman, but she could not control the ball as it went into right field for an error that allowed both Palfrey and Haag to come in to score to give the Warriors the lead. Chalee Roper came in to pinch run for Mercer. With Roper on second, Hannah Truett hit the ball through the right side for a single that brought Rope in to score to extend Southern Wesleyan's lead to 4-2.
The Braves tied the game back up off a two run home run by Locklear. They regained the lead as a single by King allowed Eckart to come in to score.
Southern Wesleyan would not be deterred as they tied the game off in the bottom of the seventh inning as Avery Mercer dilled the ball over the left field fence for a home run. With one out, Amberly Way singled to left field. Rebecca Lamb came in to pinch hit and then walked to allow Way to advance to second. Riley Wilson hit a deep fly to right field that was caught, but Way was able to advance to third on the play. With runners at the corners with two out, Taylor Palfrey hit a single to the short stop to bring Way in to score and give the Warriors a 6-5 run victory to allow them to advance to the double elimination portion of the tournament.
Game Two: #7 Southern Wesleyan vs #2 North Greenville
North Greenville took the first run of the game as a single by Bishop in the bottom of the first inning allowed Hartin to come in to score to give them a 1-0 run lead. However, the Warriors stopped their run as Fowler lined the ball right to shortstop Addi Johnson who dove to save the attack from extending the Crusaders lead further.
Southern Wesleyan countered in the top of the second inning. Amberly Way led off the inning by reaching first on a walk. McKenzie Babb came in to pinch run for Way. With one out and Babb at first, Riley Wilson ripped the ball through the left side for a triple that allowed Babb to come in to score to tie the game up. Taylor Palfrey flew out to center field to allow Wilson to cross home plate to give the Warriors a 2-1 run lead.
The lead was short lived as the Crusaders fought back in the bottom of the second inning. A ground out by Wilkinson allowed Gunter to come in to score and tie the game back up. North Greenville continued to swing the bat as several singles and doubles allowed them to take a 7-2 run lead.
With one out in the top of the third inning, the Warriors struck again. Olivia Haag hit a double to right center and then came in to score off a double by Hannah Truett.
North Greenville would not relent their attacks as they brought four more runs in to score in the bottom of the third inning to take an 11-3 run lead. The Crusaders went on to score five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to win the game 16-3.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will take on the loser of the game against Young Harris and Emmanuel at 2pm on Friday, April 26.
