Hartsville, S.C.-- Lauren Rakes and Talon LaClair hit grand slams as the Lenoir-Rhyne Softball team defeated Coker 9-0 in both games on Friday afternoon. Rakes and Morgan Beeler allowed just five hits in the circle as the duo each picked up a complete game shutout on the afternoon. LaClair finished the day 3-5 with a home run and 6 RBIs.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Game One Final: No. 24 Lenoir-Rhyne 9, Coker 0 (5 Inn.)
Game Two Final: No. 24 Lenoir-Rhyne 9, Coker 0 (5 Inn.)
Records: No.24 Lenoir-Rhyne (26-6, 8-4 SAC), Coker (17-15,3-9 SAC)
Game Location: Saleeby-Stokes Field Field I Hartsville, S.C.
STATS AND INFO:
- For the second straight SAC series, weather played a role. Today's games were schedule for tomorrow but moved up a day due to rain that is coming into the area tonight.
- Bears have won six in a row against the Cobras.
- During the six game winning streak the Bears have only allowed five runs total, less then a run a game.
- Bears are still one game behind Carson-Newman and Wingate in the loss column at the top of the SAC standings.
GAME ONE INFO:
- Bears did all their damage in two innings as LR scored four in the third then put the game away with a five spot in the fifth.
- Three RBI singles highlighted the three-run third as Talon LaClair, Julia Mardigian, and Lora Beth Wood drove in runs.
- RBI singles became RBI doubles in the fifth as LaClair, Cassidy Wall, and Lauren Rakes had extra base hits in the fifth.
- Gianna Tamburello then finished the scoring with her first career homer as the freshman put the Bears up 9-0.
- Morgan Beeler threw her third shutout in the last 14 days as the senior allowed three hits and struck out 7.
- Eight starters recorded a hit led by two from LaClair and Katelyn Rackard.
GAME TWO INFO:
- For the second time today, the Bears broke out in the third inning after a scoreless first two frames. Wall delivered a RBI single to open the scoring then Rakes cleared the bases with a grand slam to give the Bears a 5-0 lead. Rakes home run was her sixth of the season.
- LaClair then matched Rakes with a grand slam in the 4th inning to give the Bears an identical 9-0 win from earlier in the day.
- LR had just six hits in the second game as no one has multiple hits in the contest.
- Rakes allowed just two hits and struck five in the five inning complete game shutout.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- LaClair extended her hitting streak to five with her 3-5 day including her 225th career hit.
- LaClair's grand slam was her second of the year
- Rakes' grand slam was her first of her career and her 22nd career bomb.
- Rakes' shutout in the circle was her 14th career shutout with five coming this season.
UP NEXT: Catawba comes to Hickory on Tuesday for a doubleheader starting at 3:00 PM.
