CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Lions took the field again at MSJ Softball Complex this weekend after an exciting Friday night where milestones were set and records were broken. This time the Lions were facing off against the Fightin' Engineers of Rose-Hulman in a non-conference double-header. The Lions were dominant once again sweeping Rose-Hulman. The Lions paired their electric offense with dominant pitching on Sunday outscoring Rose-Hulman 17-1.
GAME ONE | MSJ 9 - Rose-Hulman 1
In game one the Lions turned to
Sarah Miller (Fishers, Ind./St. Theodore Guerin) to take charge on the mound. Miller was forceful on the mound in the contest and got some help from the offense to defeat the Fightin' Engineers via a run rule. After a hitless first inning for Rose Miller helped herself out grounding out into a fielder's choice while Senior
Alehia Tucker (Covington, Ky./Holy Cross) scored giving the Lions a 1-0 lead.
After 2 more clean innings from Miller the Lions added another run in the bottom of the 3rd. This time it was
Alehia Tucker who hammered a ball to left field for a solo home run extending The Mount's lead to 2-0.
In the top of the 4th Miller ran into some trouble giving up 3 hits and a run making the score 2-1. But, the Lions would explode in the bottom half of the 4th. After a walk and a single with 1 out
Gracie Woodyard (Plainfield, Ind./Avon) blasted a 2 RBI double to center field to give the Lions a 4-1 lead. In the following at-bat
Rachel Gabbard (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands) would single to right field and Woodyard came around to score, the Lions lead now sitting at 5-1. After a fielder's choice and a walk Rose attempted to turn a double-play but
Alehia Tucker beat out the throw to second while
Kaci Finchum (Mooresville, Ind./Center Grove) came around to score giving the Lions a 6-1 lead after the 4th.
After another clean inning from Miller the Lions responded with more runs. Miller led off the inning for the Lions with a bang. Miller scorched a ball to dead center which found the grass outside the fence giving the Lions a 7-1 lead. After a pitching change for Rose, the Lions would respond with a single and a walk. Following the walk Woodyard would single to right field bringing in another run, along with Gabbard who singled again bringing in a second run ending the game due to a run rule. The Final score read 9-1 in favor of the Lions.
GAME TWO | MSJ 8 - Rose-Hulman 0
In game two the Lions turned to
Kamryn McCool (Brookville, Ind./Franklin Co.) to complete the sweep on the day. McCool was spectacular in her start allowing only 3 hits and 0 runs in the contest while striking out 7. After a pair of clean innings from McCool the Lions would score in the bottom of the 2nd. After a walk, a fielder's choice and a wild pitch the Lions found themselves with a runner on 3rd with 2 outs. Woodyard would continue her dominant day at the plate with a RBI single to put the Lions on the board.
After another clean inning from McCool the Lions would add three more runs in the 3rd. With 1 out Tucker would single and then steal 2nd and advance to 3rd on a wild pitch.
Brooke Otto (Brookville, Ind./Franklin Co.) would follow that with a RBI single to left and then a stole base.
Elizabeth Ivers (Shelbyville, Ky./Shelby Co.) would then knock a ball into right field giving them runners on the corners. After a stolen base and a single
Casey Bramble (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) would hit a sac. fly to right field scoring a run. Following that,
Maiah Hodge (Fairfield Twp., Ohio/Fairfield) would single to left bringing in another run extending the Lions lead to 4-0.
After 3 more scoreless innings from McCool the Lions would put an end to the game in the 6th. Hodge and Woodyard started the inning with back-to-back singles. After an out the Lions now had runners on 2nd and 3rd. Finchum would then reach first base on an error by the pitcher while Hodge scores. Following the 2nd out of the innings Otto would mash a ball to center field scoring 2 runs for the Lions giving them a 7-0 lead. To end the contest Ivers would hammer a ball to left field for a double bringing in Otto to secure the 8-0 victory.
On the day, both pitchers were dominant only giving up a combined 8 hits, 1 run and 10 strikeouts.
Gracie Woodyard had a massive day for the Lions going 5-6 with a double and 4 RBIs.
Maiah Hodge also went 3-4 on the day with a RBI. Finally,
Alehia Tucker was a force at the plate once again going 3-5 with a homerun, and 2 stolen bases.
UP NEXT: Your Mount St. Joseph Lions travel to North Manchester, Ind. to take on the Spartans of Manchester Univ. on Saturday, May 1st. The Lions will play a double-header with start times at 1pm & 3pm.
