Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan picked up another sweep as they took down the Mars Hill Lions on Thursday afternoon. The Warriors took game one 4-2, before run-ruling the Lions in game two in an 8-0 final.
Southern Wesleyan picked up six hits in their first game of the day against the Lions. Both Olivia Haag and Abby Lawson had two hits in the game. Haag doubled and Lawson hit her third home run of the season. The Warriors walked four times and both Maddie Crouch and Riley Brown stole bases. Chloe Smith pitched a complete game in the circle and struck out five batters.
The Warriors picked up eight hits in their second game of the afternoon. Abby Lawson led the team with two hits. Marissa Moreland, Reagan Fulcher and Chloe Smith each doubled in the game. Southern Wesleyan had five players walk and Rebecca Lamb was hit by a pitch. Anicka McFarland pitched all five innings for the Warriors and struck out six batters.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Southern Wesleyan 4, Mars Hill 2
Game Two Final: Southern Wesleyan 8, Mars Hill 0
Records: Southern Wesleyan (11-6) Mars Hill (15-5)
How It Happened
Game One
Southern Wesleyan attacked the plate in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Reagan Fulcher was hit by a pitch. Fulcher advanced to second as Rebecca Lamb walked. Chloe Smith sent the ball up the middle for a single to allow Fulcher to come in to score. The Warriors continued their attack as Olivia Haag sent the ball into right center field for a double that allowed Madeleine Knop, who was pinch running for Lamb, to come in to score.
The Lions went on the attack in the third inning. With two on, Maddie Crouch dove on top of a ball off the bat of Bri Weimer and flipped it over to Reagan Fulcher to get the second out of the inning. Mars Hill brought one run in to score a couple plays later, but the Warriors fought back to get the next batter out to maintain the lead.
The Warriors were not done as they brought another run in to score in the top of the fourth. With one out, Maddie Crouch reached first on a dropped third strike. Crouch then stole second base to get into scoring position. Regan Fulcher drilled the ball up the middle for a single that allowed Crouch to come in to score.
Abby Lawson drilled the ball down the left field line and over the fence for a solo shot to extend the Warriors lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth.
Mars Hill answered in the top of the seventh inning as with two outs and two on, Bri Weimer hit a single that allowed Sarver to come in to score. However, Chloe Smith was able to strike out the final Lion to allow the Warriors to claim the first game in a 4-2 final.
Game Two
The Warriors were first on the board in their second game of the series against the Lions of Mars Hill. Marissa Moreland led off the bottom of the first inning by reaching first on a walk. A ground out by Reagan Fulcher allowed Moreland to advance to second. Rebecca Lamb followed by sending the ball up the middle to put runners on the corners. A misplay on a fielder's choice allowed Chloe Smith to reach first and loaded up the bases. However, Olivia Haag hit into a fielder's choice that took Moreland off the bases. Abby Lawson hit a single into right field to allow Lamb to come in for the first run of the game. An error in the infield allowed Megan Ware to reach first and brought Smith in to score to put the Warriors on top 2-0.
Southern Wesleyan would not relent as they brought four more runs in to score in the bottom of the fourth inning. Chloe Smith led off the inning by hitting a double down the left field line. Olivia Haag walked, but then was taken off the bases on the next play as Abby Lawson hit into a fielder's choice. With Haydin Williams pinch running for Lawson, Megan Ware walked to load up the bases. Maddie Crouch put the ball into play, but an error by the pitcher allowed both Williams and Smith to come in to score. Marissa Moreland hit a bases clearing double to right field to bring two more runs in to score and give the Warriors a 6-0 run lead over the Lions.
In the fourth inning, the Warriors got on the board once again. Rebecca Lamb was hit by a pitch. With Sarah Woody pinch running for Lamb, Chloe Smith ground out first to allow Woody to advance to second. A wild pitch allowed Woody to get to third base. Abby Lawson then hit a single through the right side to bring Woody in to score.
The Warriors pressed on as they plated one more run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Madeleine Knop walked and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Madison Gantt then walked to put two runners on base and bring Kassie Swink up to bat. Swink sent the ball up the middle past the diving shortstop to allow Knop to come in to score and give the Warriors an 8-0 run victory over the Lions.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will hit the road to Banner Elk, NC on March 7 to take on the Lees-McRae Bobcats. They will then travel to Charlotte, NC to take on the Johnson C Smith Golden Bulls on March 9. The Warriors will face the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on March 11.
