FRANKLIN, Ind. - On Sunday, April 10th your Mount St. Joseph University Lions traveled to Franklin College to take on the Grizzlies. This series represented the second HCAC matchup for the Lions after sweeping the Ravens of Anderson in the first week of HCAC play. The Lions took the lead early in game one and did not look back. The Lions were able to hold of the Grizzlies in game one 4-1. In the second game the Lions were not as productive offensively. The Mount was only able to push across one run as the Grizzlies took game two by a score of 3-1.
GAME ONE MSJ - 4 FRANKLIN - 1
In the first game of the afternoon the Lions struck the scoreboard first beginning with a 2 RBI double from
Sara Kardos. Kardos would knock in both
Macy Cornelius and
Kelsi Stevenson giving the Lions an early 2-0 advantage. McCool would quickly strikeout the side after surrendering a walk and the Lions lead after the first inning of play. Each squad showcased their stellar pitching as each side was held quiet until the 4th inning.
Maddie Kennedy would get the 4th started with a bang. Kennedy laced a ball to center field followed by a RBI double from
Elizabeth Ivers to extend the Lion lead to 3-0. The Lions were held quiet again until the last frame.
Emily McDonald would reach on an error in the second at-bat in the inning and followed with a stolen base.
Ali Lang would then provide a single and later McDonald would come around to score on a groundout. Heading into the bottom half of the 7th the Lions held a 4-1 lead. After consecutive outs to begin the 7th McCool would run into trouble. Franklin would blast one of their three hits to left center bringing in a run. But, that would not be enough as the Lions took game one 4-1.
Kamryn McCool finished the contest with an incredible stat line. McCool pitched all 7 innings giving up just 3 hits and 1 run while striking out 9 Franklin hitters.
GAME TWO MSJ - 1 FRANKLIN - 3
In game two
Casey Kemp would take the circle for the Lions. Kemp provided a solid outing for the Lions despite taking the loss. Kemp pitched all 6 innings giving up 7 hits on 3 runs while striking out a pair of hitters.
The Lions were held scoreless through the first two frame as the Grizzlies got the scoring started. Franklin would add 1 run in the bottom half of the 2nd giving them a 1-0 lead. Franklin would again attack in the 3rd adding two more runs to their total extending their lead to 3-0. However, the Lions did not back down. In the top half of the 6th
Kelsi Stevenson would blast a solo home run to left field giving the Lions life late in the ballgame. But, the Lions would fail to provide anymore support falling to the Grizzlies 3-1.
UP NEXT: Your Mount St. Joseph Lions are back in action Tuesday, April 12th when they welcome the Beavers of Bluffton University to the MSJ Softball Complex. Games are scheduled to begin at 4pm and 6pm. Please be sure to tune into msjlions.com for continued coverage of your MSJ Softball team and all MSJ Athletics.
