HICKORY, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Softball Team took the field on the first sunny day in Hickory in a week against the Francis Marion University Patriots on Sunday, splitting the pair of games. The Bears won game one, 4-1, and took the loss, 8-4, in game two.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Finals: Lenoir-Rhyne 4, Francis Marion 1; Francis Marion 8, Lenoir-Rhyne 4
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (12-7), Francis Marion (16-7)
Location: Bears Field | Hickory, N.C.
STATS OF GAME ONE:
• LR took the early lead in the first on a homerun from
Talon LaClair and put up a 3-spot in the third and that was all the Bears needed as they held FMU to one run in the third inning on just five hits throughout the game. LaClair led the Bears at the plate, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs batted in and two runs scored.
• LR had two others with multiple base hits,
Kylee Leonhardt (2-for-3 with one RBI) and
Macie Gibson (2-for-3 with one run scored). To account for all runs driven in,
Erin Boone added an RBI for the home team despite not recording a base hit.
• The Patriots had five different players record one base hit each. Shortstop Angela Buccilli scored their only run of the game.
• After winning South Atlantic Conference Pitcher of the Week two weeks ago,
Brandi Parks earned the victory on the mound as she worked a complete game to move to 8-4 on the season. The senior gave up just one unearned run on five hits and struck out five Patriots batters in the process.
STATS OF GAME TWO:
• Game two started with the bats favoring the Patriots, as they scored one run in each of the first three innings, followed by a four-spot in the fourth inning. The Bears responded by scoring three in the fifth, but the door was shut as the road team added an insurance run in the top of the seventh.
• Lenoir-Rhyne was led at the plate by
Savannah Moorefield and LaClair, who combined for five hits, two runs scored and a pair of RBIs.
• Five players for FMU earned two hits each while the catcher Chelsea Welty and left fielder Danielle Karacson led the way with a combined four hits, five RBIs and a run scored. Hemingway was also effective with the bat, as she helped her own cause with two hits and an RBI.
•
Kimberly Blair took the loss in the circle for Lenoir-Rhyne, her second of the season. She got the start but only worked 2.1 innings, giving up two earned runs and a walk.
Hannah Jennings made an appearance and Parks came back in to work the final 4.0 innings for the home team. Janecia Hemingway earned the win for FMU, working a complete game while giving up four runs, seven walks and three strikeouts.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• After a 1-1 day in the record book, Coach
Shena Hollar remains one game short of the 800-win goal in her time at Lenoir-Rhyne.
• The Bears have now split their third double header of the season.
• FMU managed two-straight games of errorless baseball, while the Bears had at least one in each contest.
• Parks combined to pitch 11.0 innings, giving up nine hits, three earned runs while striking out six and walking just four.
UP NEXT:
LR continues its home stand with a doubleheader against King on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
