Lions Rally in Seventh Inning of Game Two, Sweep Bluffton to Remain Atop HCAC

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Mount St. Joseph softball team headed north to take on Bluffton on Tuesday. For the first time this season the Lions took the field in sole possession of first place in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference standings. In game one the Lions were dominant behind another outstanding pitching performance from Casey Kemp, leading to a 6-1 win. In game two they found themselves down three in their final at-bat, and on the verge of their first HCAC defeat. A three-run homerun from Courtney Keller with two-outs in the seventh tied the score and the Lions would go on to win it in 8 innings to remain atop the HCAC.

GAME ONE | MSJ 6 - Bluffton 1 | WP: C. Kemp (13-3) LP: H. Lewis (0-1)

Coach Goderwis and the Lions sent Casey Kemp, fresh off of her selection as the HCAC's pitcher of the week to the circle to start the game vs. Bluffton. The junior right-hander did not disappoint, throwing a complete-game, allowing five hits and only a single run while striking out nine Beaver hitters in the win. 

Offensively the team had 11 hits, with Ali Lang, Elizabeth Ivers and Emily McDonald each delivering a pair of hits. 

The Mount got the scoring started in the top of the first inning. Lang led off the game with an infield single, She eventually moved to third base on a basehit by Macy Cornelius, Keller then walked to load the bases. Kemp drove in the games first run on a fielder's choice, an out later Ivers drilled a two-run double down the right field line scoring Cornelius and Keller.

They would go on to add a single run in the second and third innings. In the second inning Emily McDonald led off with a base-hit into centerfield, she would eventually score on a Kelsi Stevenson single into right. In the third they once again loaded the bases as Ivers, Kaci FInchum and McDonald all singled with one out. Sarah Kardos then drove in the only run of the inning on a groundout to third base. 

They would play a little more add-on in the sixth inning, answering the single run scored by Bluffton in the bottom of the fifth. Cornelius walked with two outs in the inning and scored on a double to right-center by Keller. The run made the score 6-1 in favor of the Mount and that would be the final.

GAME TWO | MSJ 5 - Bluffton 4 (8 Innings) | WP: P. Foust (2-0) LP: G. Fillinger (6-7)

In game two of the double-header the Mount sent Keller to the circle to start the game. The freshman struggled in this one, only throwing 1.1 innings allowing 7 hits and allowing 4 runs. 

The Lions offense also struggled early, as they went into the top of the fifth inning trailing 4-0. They finally got one back in the fifth, Cornelius got them on the board with an RBI triple into right field. 

In the circle it was Peri Foust who came on to replace Keller back in the second. Her performance was absolutely dazzling, throwing 6.2 innings of four hit shutout softball while striking out a career-high 12 batters. 

The Mount entered the top of the 7th down 4-1 on the scoreboard, and looking at possibly dropping their first HCAC game of the season. With one out in the inning Lang singled to third base, and then Stevenson singled into left field. An out later Courtney Keller, hit a two-out, two-strike homerun to left field to tie the score at four. 

Foust allowed a lead off hit in the bottom of the seventh but slammed the door, striking out two of the next three hitters to send the game into extra innings.

In collegiate softball a runner is placed at second base to begin extra innings, for the Lions that was Maddie Kennedy. Foust led off the inning and advanced Kennedy on to third with a ground out to short stop. Ivers then followed that up with a ground out to short, but Kennedy was breaking on contact and scored easily to put the Lions ahead 5-4. 

In the bottom of the 8th the Bluffton runner placed at second advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Foust then struck out the next batter to get the Lions within an out of victory. The final out came on a flyball to right field hauled in by Kennedy. 

UP NEXT: 
The Lions have just three double-headers remaining in the regular season. This weekend they will head north again to take on the Spartans of Manchester (17-13, 5-3 HCAC). The double-header is scheduled to take place Saturday at 1 & 3 PM.