Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Softball Team (10-1) defeated Columbus State, 7-6, and King, 8-1, Saturday afternoon at Bears Field.  The weekend games are part of the Lenoir-Rhyne/Catawba Invitational.

Lenoir-Rhyne 7,
Columbus State 6
Lenoir-Rhyne senior third baseman Jordin Phillips (Hampstead, N.C.) hit a three-run home run and freshman outfielder Erin Boone (Creedmoor, N.C.) added a two-run home run as the Bears jumped out a 7-0 lead and held on in the end to win.

Phillips' home run, her team-leading fifth of the season, staked the Bears to a 4-0 advantage in the first inning. 

Columbus State's Kayleigh Briant (Powder Spring, Ga.) hit a two-run home run as the Cougars (10-5) rallied to get within a run but the Bears were able to hold on for the victory. 

For Lenoir-Rhyne, freshman Ty Triplett (Valdese, N.C.) improved to 4-0 after being credited with the win while senior outfielder Ashley Oliver (Newton, N.C.) finished with three hits and a solo home run.   Columbus State's Sydney Barker (Warner Robins, Ga.) fell to 4-2 after taking the loss.

Box Score

Lenoir-Rhyne 8, King 1
The Bears broke a 1-1 tie with a six-run fifth inning highlighted by a two-run double from senior pinch hitter Sarah Kenley (Charlotte, N.C.).  Lenoir-Rhyne also showed balanced as at least five players drove in runs.

Lenoir-Rhyne freshman Brandi Parks (Roaring River, N.C.) earned the win after limiting King to just two hits in addition to five strikeouts in the complete game victory.  Parks improved to 2-0 on the year while King's Morgan Lowe (Damascus, Va.) (0-2) took the loss.  The Tornado is 0-6 on the year.

Box Score

Lenoir-Rhyne rounds out the home tournament with a single game against Georgia College on Sunday beginning at 1:00 p.m.