Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan split the series against the Young Harris Mountain Lions on Saturday afternoon. The Mountain Lions took game one 8-5 while the Warriors then run-ruled Young Harris in a 10-2 final in game two.
The Warriors picked up four hits in game one. Avery Mercer and Talissa Cannady each homered, and Rebecca Lamb had a double. Southern Wesleyan walked four times and Maddie Crouch stole a base. The Warriors turned one double play in the game. Emily Collins started the game in the circle and pitched 3.2 innings while striking out two.
Southern Wesleyan totaled 12 hits in game two. Avery Mercer went 3-for-3 at the plate, while both Amberly Way and Abby Schreiner went 2-for-3. Way homered and Reagan Fulcher had a double. Way went on to lead the team with three RBIs. The Warriors walked eight times and stole six bases. Talissa Cannady led the team with two steals. Chloe Smith pitched five innings and struck out two batters.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Young Harris 8, Southern Wesleyan 5
Game Two Final: Southern Wesleyan 10, Young Harris 2
Records: Southern Wesleyan (27-13 / CC 14-8) Young Harris (20-13 / CC 11-11)
How It Happened
Game One
Young Harris struck first as Hughes sent the first pitch she saw deep over the center field fence to give the Mountain Lions the early lead.
The Warriors answered in the third inning. With one out, Madison Truett hit the ball to the short stop and then beat out the throw for a single. Crouch then stole second base to bring Avery Mercer up to bat. Mercer drilled the ball over the left center field fence for a two run blast to put Southern Wesleyan on top.
The Mountain Lions regained the lead in the fourth inning as a series of errors by the Warriors and then a grand slam by Fielden allowed Young Harris to take a 7-2 run lead.
Southern Wesleyan cut into Young Harris' lead in the fifth inning as Talissa Cannady sent the ball over the center field fence for a solo home run. The Warriors continued to fight as with two outs, Amberly Way and Avery Mercer each walked to put two on. With Camille Lui pinch running for Way, Rebecca Lamb hit a ball to left center field for a double that allowed both Lui and Mercer to come in and score.
However, Young Harris regained a run in the sixth inning as Ratzlaff sent the ball over the left center field for a solo shot. The Mountain Lions went on to win the game in an 8-5 final score.
Game Two
Southern Wesleyan struck first in game two of the day. With one out, Amberly Way walked and then advanced to second as Avery Mercer hit a single into left field. Way and Mercer then stole second and third bases for both of them to get into scoring position. Rebecca Lamb came up to the plate and knocked a single through the left side of the infield to allow Way to come in to score. Riley Brown came in to pinch run for Lamb as Chloe Smith came up to the plate. As Brown stole second base, the Mountain Lions catcher attempted to throw her out, however the ball went into the outfield to allow Mercer to come in to score to give the Warriors a 2-0 run advantage.
The Warriors continued to press ahead in the second inning. With one out, Talissa Cannady walked and then stole second. Cannady was able to advance to third on a passed ball. Madison Truett walked. Cannady stole home and then Truett stole second. Amberly Way came up to the plate and sent the ball deep over the center field wall for a two-run home run to extend their lead to 5-0.
Young Harris brought their first run in to score in the third inning as a ground out by Hughes allowed Brown to come in to score.
Southern Wesleyan regained their five run advantage in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Abby Schreiner hit a single down the left field line. Chalee Roper came in to pinch run for Schriener and then advanced to second as Olivia Haag laid down a bunt single. Talissa Cannady walked to load up the bases for Madison Truett. However, Truett hit into a fielder's choice to take Roper off the bases. A passed ball allowed Haag to come in to score.
The Warriors continued to extend on their lead in the fourth inning. Avery Mercer walked and then advanced to second on a passed ball. A sacrifice bunt by Rebecca Lamb allowed Mercer to advance to third. Sarah Woody came in to pinch run for Mercer. Chloe Smith hit a sacrifice fly out to left field to bring Woody in to score to give the Warriors a 7-1 run lead.
In the fifth inning, Southern Wesleyan struck again. With two outs, Regan Fulcher doubled to left center field. Amberly Way hit a single down the right field line to allow Fulcher to come in to score.
The Mountain Lions brought another run in to score in the sixth inning as an error allowed Brady to cross home plate.
Southern Wesleyan run ruled the Mountain Lions as they scored two more runs in the sixth inning. Abby Schriener walked and then advanced to second base as Josie Shoemaker grounded out to the pitcher. Talissa Cannady hit a single to left field to put runners on the corners for Madison Truett. Truett hit a single through the left side to bring Schriener in to score and force Young Harris to make a pitching change. A wild pitch allowed both runners to get into scoring position. Reagan Fulcher hit a sacrifice fly to right field to bring Cannady in to score to give the Warriors a 10-2 run victory.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will wrap up the regular season on April 16 as they travel down to Rome, GA to take on the Shorter Hawks.
