LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Mount St. Joseph University softball team was back in action today after defeating Anderson 6-0 yesterday. The 2-seeded Lions squared off against the top-seed Pioneers of Transylvania in the HCAC Semi-Finals.
The teams started off slow in the first inning but the Lions would rally in the top half of the 2nd to take the lead. After a pair of walks
Rachel Gabbard (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands) missled a ball to left center for a 2 RBI double to give the Lions an early 2-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning the Pioneers would threaten with a leadoff home run but at the end of the 2nd, the Lions lead 2-1.
The Lions would carry their momentum from the 2nd inning into the top half of the 3rd.
Alehia Tucker (Covington, Ky./Holy Cross) would leadoff the inning with a triple to right center. Otto would then walk and steal 2nd base to set the stage for
Elizabeth Ivers (Shelbyville, Ky./Shelby Co.). With 2 runners in scoring position Ivers would double to left center bringing in both runners to give the Lions a 4-1 lead.
But, the Lions weren't done yet. With a runner on 2nd base after the double
Casey Bramble (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) would slap a ball down the right field line for a single. Bramble would then steal 2nd base and
Gracie Woodyard (Plainfield, Ind./Avon) would work the count for a walk. Stepping to the plate was
Rachel Gabbard who has the bases loaded with 2 outs. Gabbard would come in clutch for the second time in the game with a single to the right side of the infield scoring 2 runners giving the Lions a 6-1 lead.
After a quiet bottom half for the Pioneers they would threaten again in the bottom half of the 4th. After a pair of hits including a double the Pioneers were able to get a run back to trim the lead to 6-2. But
Sarah Miller (Fishers, Ind./St. Theodore Guerin) would tighten down in the circle and hold them to just 1 run.
Miller really settled in after the 4th. For the next 3 innings she would give up just 2 hits both coming in the top half of the 7th. Miller would pitch a complete game giving up just 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out 6 and walking none to help the Lions advance to the HCAC Championship Game! Gabbard had a huge game for the Lions going 2-3 with 4 RBIs. Ivers was also strong at the plate going 2-4 with 2 RBIs to help the Lions secure their spot in the Championship Game.
UP NEXT::
It will once again be the Lions and Pioneers tomorrow, as they play for the fourth time this season with the 2021 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference title and a berth in the NCAA DIII Softball National Championship tournament on the line. It is fitting that the Lions and Pioneers would square off one more time, as they have truly been the class of the HCAC this season..
The Mount enters the game in the driver's seat, as Transylvania will have to beat them twice in order to secure the Championship.The Championship game is scheduled for a 12:00 pm first pitch, with the "IF" game to follow only if necessary. Catch all the live game action on msjlions.com
