Miller and McCool Combine For Shutout, Lions Set For Transy Rematch

LEXINGTON, Kentucky - The Mount St. Joseph University softball team headed south on Thursday to open the 2021 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship tournament. The second seeded Lions squared off with the third seed Anderson in the opening round, looking to avenge one of their two regular season losses in conference.

The teams got off to a slow start as both went quietly in the first inning. The Ravens would threaten in the top of the second inning, but Sarah Miller pitched out of a the jam stranding a pair of runners in scoring position.

The Lions then got the scoring started in the bottom of the inning, as the bottom half the of the Lions order came through as they have over and over again this season. Miller led off with a single, and was advanced to third on a bunt hit by Bramble and an error by Anderson. Bramble stole second on the next pitch, setting the stage for the first big moment of the game for the Lions offense. Maiah Hodge laced a two RBI base-hit up the middle to get the Lions on the board.

Miller would again pitch out of trouble in the third, after allowing a leadoff double into left. She buckled down to force a pair of infield popups to get out of the inning. 

The Lions played add-on in the bottom of the inning, as Alehia Tucker led off with a base-hit and quickly stole second. She would score on an RBI base-hit by Brooke Otto, pushing the Lions lead 3-0. 

They continued to add insurance in the the fourth and fifth innings, as Gracie Woodyard and Bramble added RBI singles. That coupled with a run scored on a passed ball pushed the Lions lead out to 6-0.

Miller gave way to Kamryn McCool to start the fifth inning, after a stellar four inning outing. The senior finished with four strikeouts after only allowing three hits. McCool entered the game and was her normal dominant self, going the final 3.0 innings allowing just a single hit. Earning her third save of the season, while Miller's record moved to 14-3 on the season.

UP NEXT:

It will be a quick turnaround for Coach Goderwis and the Lions as they will square off in the winner's bracket finals with host and co-regular season HCAC champions Transylvania tomorrow morning at 11:00 am.