Hickory, N.C.-- The Lenoir-Rhyne Softball team opened McCrorie Family Stadium in style, as the Bears scored seven runs in the first inning, then had to overcome a seven-run top of the 7th by Flagler.
Julia Mardigian walked off the Saints with an RBI single to win 15-14 in a wild opening game.
Katelyn Rackard went 4-for-4 with a home run and five RBI's.
Alycea Gilliam hit a game tying home run in the bottom of the seventh to ignite the comeback.
In the night cap,
Lani Warren hit a two-out, two-run double to help the Bears defeat Davis & Elkins 4-3.
Faith Carrigan got the win in the complete game.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Game One Final: #4 Lenoir-Rhyne 15, Flagler 14
Game Two Final: #4 Lenoir-Rhyne 4, Davis & Elkins 3
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (2-4), Flager (0-2), Davis & Elkins (2-3)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | McCrorie Family Stadium
STORY OF GAME ONE:
- Lani Warren opened up the scoring in McCorie in style, launching a three-run home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the first to put LR on top 3-0 after just three batters.
- After a Avery Kiger RBI single, Katelyn Rackard, who was making her season debut, hit a 3-2 pitch over the centerfield wall for the Bears's second three-run home run of the inning.
- Abbey Nixon added two runs with a two-out, two-run double down the left field line in the bottom of the second.
- Mardigian led off the bottom of the third with her first home run of the season, a solo shot to left field.
- The Saints made it a game with a single run in the second inning, two runs in the third, and a big four run spot in the fourth inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Sydney Stewart to cut the Bears lead to 11-7.
- Rackard's fourth hit of the game brought in her 4th and 5th RBI's of the game as LR stretched the lead to 13-7.
- The seventh inning was wild as Flagler scored seven runs in the top of the frame to take a 14-13 lead.
- Alycea Gilliam had a perfect time for her first career home run, leading off the bottom of the seventh with a solo shot to left centerfield.
- After a infield hit by Nixon, Rackard bunted her over to second before Mardigian called game with a the Bears 20th hit of the game.
- Faith Carrigan got the win in the circle after Madison Wilson pitched into the seventh inning before Carrigan came in relief.
STORY OF GAME TWO:
- The Senators got on the board first with a run in the first inning but the Bears tied it in the bottom of the second.
- Cassidy Wall gave the Bears the lead in the 3rd inning with a RBI single.
- Lani Warren extended the lead with a key two-run, two-out double in the bottom of the sixth.
- D&E cut the lead to 4-3 with a two-run homerun the 7th, but Faith Carrigan forced a line out for the win.
- Cassidy Wall was 3-for-3 while both Madison Primm and Kaylan Brown notched two hits.
STATS OF THE MATCH:
- The Bears snapped a three game losing streak to Flagler.
- Lenoir-Rhyne is 8-0 against Davis & Elkins, with the last six wins here in Hickory.
- Mardigian's homerun was her 27th of her career.
- Wall now has 196 career hits while Rackard has 193. The duo looks to join Mardigan with 200 career hits.
UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne will host both teams again tomorrow with the first pitch against Flager at 11:00 AM. Flager and Davis & Elkins will play at 1:00 PM while the Bears will play Davis & Elkins in the final game at 3:00 PM.