Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Softball Team (17-3), ranked No. 19 in NCAA Division II, swept a doubleheader from Pfeiffer (13-11), 9-6 and 8-3, Tuesday afternoon at Bears Field.
Game One – Lenoir-Rhyne 9,
Pfeiffer 6
Lenoir-Rhyne freshman outfielder Erin Boone (Creedmoor, N.C.) finished with three hits and three runs batted in and the Bears were able to survive even after plating seven runs in the third inning.
Lenoir-Rhyne was able to win despite giving up a pair of three-run home runs to Pfeiffer's Kiana Millsaps (Taylorsville, N.C.) and Vada Blue Sherrill (Hiddenite, N.C.).
The third inning for the Bears was highlighted by a three-run home run from sophomore designated hitter Mackenzie Cates (Efland, N.C.) which tied the game at three.
Lenoir-Rhyne senior Maryann Hoskins (Havelock, N.C.) improved to 7-3 after earning the win while senior Brandi Hole (Sandy Ridge, N.C.) pitched three scoreless innings for her first save of the year. Pfeiffer's Kennedy Lester (Hamptonville, N.C.) (5-6) took the loss.
Box Score
Game Two – Lenoir-Rhyne 8, Pfeiffer 3
Boone kept things going for the Bears, hitting two solo home runs, as Lenoir-Rhyne completed the sweep of Pfeiffer.
Lenoir-Rhyne put the contest away with a seven-run second inning highlighted by two-run hits from senior outfielder Dakota Keller (Mooresboro, N.C.) and senior third baseman Jordin Phillips (Hampstead, N.C.).
Freshman Brandi Parks (Roaring River, N.C.) improved to 3-0 on the year after earning the victory in middle relief for the Bears while Millsaps (2-2) took the loss for the Falcons. Sherrill hit her second home run on the day for Pfeiffer despite the loss.
Box Score
Lenoir-Rhyne hits the road to take on USC Aiken on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., in a doubleheader in Aiken, S.C. Pfeiffer, meanwhile, hosts Barton in a Conference Carolinas doubleheader on Friday beginning at 2:00 p.m.
