Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan swept past the King Tornado on Saturday afternoon in 6-5 and 3-2 final scores.
The Warriors picked up six hits in game one with Avery Mercer leading the team with two. Southern Wesleyan walked five times and both Madison Truett and Maddie Crouch stole bases. Bailey Throckmorton pitched a complete game for the Warriors and struck out six batters.
Southern Wesleyan totaled five hits in game two. Avery Mercer led the team with two hits including a home run and a double. Amberly Way also homered in the game. Chalee Roper stole the lone base of the game for the Warriors. Emily Collins pitched a complete game and struck out five batters.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Southern Wesleyan 6, King 5
Game Two Final: Southern Wesleyan 3, King 2
Records: Southern Wesleyan (22-8 / CC 9-3) King (22-14 / CC 9-3)
How It Happened
Game One
Southern Wesleyan opened up the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. Avery Mercer hit a single down the left field line, but was called out on the next play when Rebecca Lamb hit into a fielder's choice. With one out and Lamb at first, Abby Schreiner hit a single to center field. Chloe Smith was then hit by the second pitch she saw to load up the bases for Maddie Crouch. Crouch walked to bring Lamb in to score to put the Warriors on top.
King fought back in the fourth inning as they brought three runs in to score off a double by Ryan and a sacrifice fly out by Sheets.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Tornado attacked the plate again as Winge launched a two run home run to extend King's lead to 5-1.
The Warriors were not discouraged as they fought back in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Abby Schreiner walked and then advanced to second when Chloe Smith hit a single down the left field line. Maddie Crouch sent the ball through the left side of the infield for a single that loaded up the base. Megan Ware came in to pinch hit for Riley Brown and was then hit by the fourth pitch she saw to allow Schreiner to come in to score. Talissa Cannady sent the ball into right field for a single that allowed Smith to score. Southern Wesleyan was not done as Madison Truett reached on a fielder's choice that took Cannady off the bases. However, in an attempt to throw Truett out at first, the King second baseman threw the ball past the first baseman to allow both Crouch and Josie Shoemaker to come in to score and tie the game up. Truett stole second base and then Amberly Way walked. Avery Mercer came up to the plate and hit a single to right center field to load up the bases for Rebecca Lamb. Lamb was hit by the first pitch she saw to allow Truett to come in to score and give the Warriors a 6-5 run victory over the Tornado.
Game Two
King scored the first run of the game as a sacrifice fly out by Jardim in the first inning allowed Ryan to come in to score.
The Warriors answered in the bottom of the second inning as Avery Mercer sent the third pitch she saw deep over the left center field wall for a solo home run.
Southern Wesleyan was not done as they took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Amberly Way led off the inning by drilling the ball over the left field fence and off the scoreboard for a solo home run. Avery Mercer followed with a double to left center field. With one out, Abby Schreiner hit into a fielder's choice that took Mercer off the bases. Chalee Roper came in to pinch run for Schreiner and stole second base. Chloe Smith hit a single to right field to bring Roper in to score to extend the Warriors' lead to 3-1.
King fought back as a double by Ryan brought one run in to score. However, Emily Collins and the Warriors defense prevented any more runs to come in. Southern Wesleyan went on to take game two in a 3-2 final.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain at home on April 1 as they host the Shorter Hawks in a doubleheader beginning at 2pm. They will then hit the road to take on the Chowan Hawks on April 4 and the Barton Bulldogs on April 5. The Warriors will return to Varsity Field on April 8 to host the Erskine Flying Fleet.
