CINCINNATI, Ohio - On Saturday, April 2nd your Mount St. Joseph University Lions played host to the Ravens of Anderson to the MSJ Softball Complex. The Lions extended their winning streak again sweeping the Ravens in a double-header matchup. In game one the Lions offensively got off to a slow start but exploded in the 4th inning as the Lions ended the game in the 6th inning ahead 8-0. In game two the Lions surrendered an early run but responded well putting up 8 total runs in the 2nd inning as the Lions ended the contest via a run rule after 5 innings of play.
GAME ONE: MSJ - 8 ANDERSON - 0
Kamryn McCool started in the circle for the Lions and was her typical self, dominant. Through 6 innings of work for the senior she allowed 0 runs, 4 hits and just 1 walk while striking out 7 Raven batters. Offensively the Lions were held in check in the first frame but were able to break the tie in the bottom half of the 2nd. After a
Maddie Kennedy walk and a
Kaci Finchum double the Lions had two in scoring position with
Elizabeth Ivers stepping to the plate. Ivers would ground out to second base but drove in a run giving the Lions a 1-0 advantage.
The Lions were held quiet again in the 3rd but broke the game open in the bottom half of the 4th.
Emily McDonald would get the scoring started for the Lions with a double to right center bringing in a pair of runs and later scoring on an error by the Anderson catcher.
Rachel Gabbard joined the hit parade with a RBI single to right field.
Kelsi Stevenson would then score on another Anderson error giving the Lions a 6-0 lead heading into the 5th inning. The Lions were held in check again in the 5th but came storming back in the bottom half of the 6th. With two outs Freshman
Kiley Hankenhoff ended the game with a two-run blast to left center collecting her first collegiate hit in the process. After just 6 innings the Lions claimed victory 8-0.
GAME TWO: MSJ - 9 ANDERSON - 1
In game two
Casey Kemp took the circle for the Lions. Kemp surrendered a run early but was lights out for the remainder of the contest. Kemp delivered 5 innings of work giving up just 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 3 batters.
The Lions found themselves trailing after just the first inning of play but that would not last for long. The Lions would explode in the 2nd inning beginning with a RBI single from
Elizabeth Ivers followed by an error bringing in
Kaci Finchum. Next,
Kelsi Stevenson would clear the bases with a monster grand slam to left field giving the Lions a 6-1 lead. But, the Lions weren't done yet.
Rachel Gabbard doubled to right field knocking in a run followed by a RBI single from
Maddie Kennedy extending the Lions lead to 8-1.
The Lions were held scoreless in the 3rd but would answer again in the 4th.
Rachel Gabbard would provide her 2nd RBI double of the game pushing the Lions lead to 9-1.
Casey Kemp would provide a clean 5th inning of work giving the Lions their second victory of the afternoon.
UP NEXT: Your Mount St. Joseph Lions will travel to Lexington, Ky. to take on the Pioneers of Transylvania on Wednesday, April 6th for a double-header HCAC clash. Games are scheduled to begin at 5PM & 7PM. Please continue to tune into msjlions.com for coverage of your MSJ Softball team and all MSJ athletics.
