Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Softball Team (6-0) remained perfect on the year with a doubleheader sweep of Concord (2-2), 8-1 and 13-5, Friday afternoon at Bears Field.
Game One – Lenoir-Rhyne 8,
Concord 1
Lenoir-Rhyne broke a 1-1 tie with a five-run fifth inning thanks to a three-run home run by senior catcher Sarah Kenley (Charlotte, N.C.) and a two-run home run from junior outfielder Dakota Keller (Mooresboro, N.C.).
Kenley finished with a game-high four runs batted in while senior Maryann Hoskins (Havelock, N.C.) improved to 2-0 after picking up the win on the mound. Kenley also has a team-leading three home runs on the season.
Hoskins went the distance, allowing just one run in addition to nine strikeouts. Concord's Allie Reid (Lovettsville, Va.) suffered the loss on the mound while Alyssa Morris (Virginia Beach, Va.) hit a home run for the Mountain Lions despite the setback.
Box Score
Game Two – Lenoir-Rhyne 13, Concord 5 (five innings)
Lenoir-Rhyne junior third baseman Jordin Phillips (Hampstead, N.C.) hit a grand slam in the fourth inning and the Bears raced to a 8-0 lead after just two innings of play in run-ruling the Mountain Lions.
Lenoir-Rhyne sophomore catcher Mackenzie Cates (Efland, N.C.) got things going for the Bears with a two-run home run in the first inning while freshman Ty Triplett (Valdese, N.C.) improved to 2-0 on the mound after registering the win.
For Concord, Morris hit another home run and Sarah Herndon (Berryville, Va.) drove in two runs in the losing effort. Herndon (1-1), however, was also tagged with the pitching loss.
Box Score
Lenoir-Rhyne hits the road for the first time this season when the Bears travel to Gaffney, S.C., to take on Limestone on Wednesday in a doubleheader beginning at 2:30 p.m. Concord next hosts Carson-Newman on Monday, February 29, in a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.
