Charlotte, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Softball Team (41-9, 18-2), ranked No. 19 in NCAA Division II, took over sole possession of first place in the South Atlantic Conference standings with a doubleheader sweep of Queens (20-25, 9-11), 12-4 and 14-5, Wednesday at Park Road Park.
Game One – Lenoir-Rhyne 12,
Queens 4
Lenoir-Rhyne sophomore shortstop Madison Carter (Bessemer City, N.C.) hit a home run and freshman outfielder Erin Boone (Creedmoor, N.C.) added three hits and three runs batted in as Lenoir-Rhyne scored the first eight runs of the game on its way to the easy win.
Queens, trailing by an 8-0 score, cut the lead in half in the bottom of the sixth inning but Lenoir-Rhyne responded with four runs in its half of the seventh frame. Senior pinch hitter Ashley Oliver (Newton, N.C.) highlighted the inning with a two-run double.
Lenoir-Rhyne senior Maryann Hoskins (Havelock, N.C.) improved to 15-6 on the year after striking out nine batters while Queens' Evie Scott (Eden, N.C.) fell to 7-6 and the Royals' Lyndey McCurry (Commerce, Ga.) drove in two runs in the setback.
Box Score
Game Two – Lenoir-Rhyne 14, Queens 5 (five innings)
Lenoir-Rhyne rolled to the doubleheader sweep with the victory in the nightcap behind senior third baseman Jordin Phillips (Hampstead, N.C.). Phillips finished with three hits and six runs batted in and hit a three-run home run as the Bears raced to a 14-0 advantage.
Junior outfielder Dakota Keller (Creedmoor, N.C.) added a three-run home run as the Bears finished with 17 hits in the contest. Freshman Emily Kenley (Charlotte, N.C.) improved to 8-2 on the year after being credited with the win.
Queens' Kayla Hall (Cornelius, N.C.) hit a grand slam but Catelyn Presley (Mint Hill, N.C.) (5-9) was tagged with the loss.
Box Score
In the final South Atlantic Conference Regular Season doubleheader on the season, Lenoir-Rhyne travels to Jefferson City, Tenn., to take on Carson-Newman on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., while Queens faces Brevard on the road on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m., as well.
