Charlotte, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Softball Team (38-5, 15-1), ranked No. 12 in NCAA Division II, took care of business in a big way and clinched at least a share of the 2018 South Atlantic Conference Regular Season Championship with a doubleheader sweep of No. 22 Queens (31-11, 7-7), 11-6 and 20-3, Tuesday afternoon at Park Road Park.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 11, Queens 6; Lenoir-Rhyne 20, Queens 3
Records: No. 12 Lenoir-Rhyne (38-5, 15-1 SAC), No. 22 Queens (31-11, 7-7 SAC)
Location: Park Road Park | Charlotte, N.C.
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STATS OF THE GAME (Game 1):
• Lenoir-Rhyne hit five home runs in the contest including a pair of round-trippers from senior second baseman
Madison Poe (Siler City, N.C.). Poe hit a grand slam in the second inning and finished with six runs batted in to lead the Bears.
• Freshman first baseman
Kylee Leonhardt (Lincolnton, N.C.), sophomore designated player
Mackensi Swain (Pinetown, N.C.) and junior outfielder
Erin Boone (Creedmoor, N.C.) also hit home runs for the Bears, who won despite allowing a six-run third frame.
• Lenoir-Rhyne junior
Emily Kenley (Charlotte, N.C.) came on in relief to earn the win. Kenley (19-2) allowed just one unearned run on three hits with five strikeouts in five innings.
• For Queens, Kelly Winter (Jacksonville, Fla.) drove in two runs while Ali Celiberti (Powhatan, Va.) fell to 5-2 with the loss.
STATS OF THE GAME (Game 2):
• Lenoir-Rhyne's bats were unstoppable this game as the squad totaled a season-high in runs scored in addition to 17 hits.
• Lenoir-Rhyne was led by senior catcher
Mackenzie Cates (Efland, N.C.), who went a perfect four-for-four with a grand slam and six runs batted in. Kenley (20-2) earned the victory.
• Queens' Abby Lathan (Monroe, N.C.) hit a solo home run while Courtney Pearson (Candler, N.C.) fell to 13-7 after taking the loss.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• The Bears increased their winning streak to 12 games and are 36-2 in their last 38 games.
• Lenoir-Rhyne scored its most runs in a contest since a 21-0 victory over Bluefield State on Sunday, February 7, 2016.
• LR clinched a share of its 12th South Atlantic Conference Regular Season Championship in school history: the Bears also won in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
UP NEXT:
The Bears will continue their road swing Saturday as they travel to Carson-Newman for a league doubleheader on Saturday in Jefferson City, Tenn., beginning at 2:00 p.m. Queens will host league-foe Anderson in a doubleheader on Saturday at Noon.
