Lions Bring Down Rams to earn Sweep
March 21, 2012MARS HILL, N.C.—The Mars Hill softball team earned 1-0 and 9-1 non-conference victories over Winston Salem State at Ponder Park Wednesday afternoon. The victories improve the Lions overall record to 18-14, while the Rams fell to 13-15.
Sarah Kruysman and Taylor Morris each earned victories in the circle and added a pair of hits to pace Mars Hill. Kruysman set the table for a number of Lion rallies, scoring three runs on the day. Natalie Haithcox added two hits, including her 14th home run of the season.
Yasmin Lee didn’t allow an earned run in her six innings of work for the Rams.
Game One
Mars Hill scored an early run and got the best of a 1-0 pitchers duel.
Ashley McCurry led off the bottom of the first with a bunt single, and advanced to second with some heads-up baserunning. McCurry eventually scored on an error with two outs for the only run of the game. McCurry reached base in two of her three plate appearances in the game.
Morris made that run hold up over her seven innings of work. The junior allowed just three hits and struck out two to earn the victory.
Lee nearly matched Morris’ effort, going six innings and surrendering an unearned run on two hits. She struck out two.
Game Two
Mars Hill once again got a solid pitching performance and broke out the bats in a big way in the 9-1 victory.
The Lions broke through in the first inning with a two-out rally. Haithcox led off with a single to deep short, and Morris followed with a single to right-center. Shaundee Woosley kept the runners moving with an RBI-single to make the score 1-0, and stole second to put runners at second and third with two out. Kendra Reeder then ripped a double to left-center to score both runners and make the score 3-0.
Kruysman doubled to lead off the second and came around to score on an error to make the score 4-0.
Winston Salem State scored its only run of the day when Nikki Lynch led off the fourth with a walk and came around to score on an error.
Kruysman set the table for the next big Lions inning, leading off the bottom of the fourth with a single. A Taylor Miller sacrifice bunt moved Kruysman to second. A Megan Arrington RBI-triple made the score 5-1, and Haithcox followed with a line-shot to left to make the score 7-1.
Kruysman once again jumpstarted a Lions rally in the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff walk. A Miller walk put runners at first and second, when McCurry pushed a bunt through a charging infielder to score Kruysman from second. McCurry later came around to score on an error for the final 9-1 margin.
Kruysman worked four innings to earn the victory, allowing one hit and an unearned run while striking out two.
Mars Hill will be in action again when they host SAC-foe Anderson at Ponder Park Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
