Softball Splits on the road at Denison

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 GRANVILLE, Ohio - The #21 ranked Mount St. Joseph University softball team hit the road again on Thursday as they headed to take on the Big Red of Denison. The Lions crushed the ball in game one taking down Denison 17-2, but fell in the second game 5-4.

GAME ONE | MSJ 17- Denison 2 (Final 5 innings)

The Lions got out to an early lead in the top of the second inning, with two outs in the inning Kaci Finchum singled and Elizabeth Ivers followed that up with an RBI double to center. They would add another pair of runs in the third again the runs would come with two outs, this time it was Macy Cornelius who got it started with a single scoring on a two-run home run by Rachel Gabbard. 

The offense would then explode scoring 14 runs over the next two innings. In the fourth Ali Lang, Kelsi Stevenson, Cornelius, and Maddie Kennedy all had at least one RBI. In the fifth inning the Lions scored 8 runs, Cornelius, Gabbard, Kennedy, Kaitlin Leslie and Emily McDonald all had RBIs.

On the mound for the Lions it was their ace Kamryn McCool who was once again dominant. She threw a 5.0 inning complete game, allowing only a pair of hits and a pair of runs (0 earned). She did so while striking out 8 and not walking a single Big Red hitter.

All told the Lions offense managed 17 hits in the game with Lang, Cornelius, Gabbard, Kardos, and Finchum all registering multiple hits in the contest.

GAME TWO | Denison 5 - MSJ 4

The difference in game two for the Lions was missed opportunities, which started in the top of the first inning. The Lions threatened in the first half inning of the game with after a Lang walk and Cornelius single gave them a a pair of runners with only one out, but as happened much of this game the big-hit eluded the Lions. 

Denison jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the first, with a solo homerun.

The Mount would answer back in the next half inning with a deep solo homerun to right centerfield off the bat of Ivers to even the score. 

In the top of the third inning the Lions again threatened but failed to score. Stevenson singled to open the frame, and out later Gabbard singled. Again they had two runners on with one out and failed to score a run.

The Big Red took the lead again in the bottom of the third inning, as Casey Kemp surrendered her second homer of the game this time it was a 2-run shot. The homerun pushed Denison ahead 3-1 and they would not trail the rest of the way. 

The Lions answered back with another run in the top of the fourth inning, again it was a solo homer to center of the bat of Ivers. 

The score was 3-2 in favor of Denison until the bottom of the 5th when they extended their lead with a 2-run effort. 

Going into the top of the seventh the Lions were trailing by 3 but they surely made it interesting. McDonald led of the inning with a double, and an out later Stevenson doubled her home. Stevenson would eventually come around to score on a wild pitch. The Lions though just could not find that final run to tie the score falling 5-4.

On the mound in game two it was Casey Kemp who went 5.2 innings allowing 8 hits and 5 runs (4 earned).

UP NEXT:
It will be a quick turnaround for the Lions as due to this weekends impending inclement weather, their double-header vs. Wooster has been moved to tomorrow. After 17 road and neutral site games the Lions will face of with the Fighting Scots at the MSJ Softball Complex tomorrow at 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM finally opening their home slate!