CINCINNATI, Ohio – On Wednesday April 24
th, the Mount St. Joseph Softball program continued their homestand as they played host to the Bluffton Beavers. In game one,
Casey Kemp was outstanding in the circle pitching a complete game.
Macy Cornelius would also have a breakout game in her junior campaign going 4-4 at the place with 3 RBI's. In the second game of the Double-Header, The Lions would be tied early before being able to break the game open with 2 in the bottom of the 5
th and 5 runs in the 6
th inning. Senior
Hailey Johnson was outstanding for the Lions in relief tossing 4 shutout innings while striking out 5.
GAME ONE: BU – 1 MSJ – 9
In the first of two at the MSJ Softball Complex, Senior Pitcher
Casey Kemp was on a tear against the Bluffton batters. Through the first four innings of play, the Beavers were unable to put a baserunner aboard. From the offensive side, the Lions were able to strike first in inning number two. After a two out single from
Avery Wiltermood, followed by a single to left center from
Alayna Flynn, leadoff batter
Macy Cornelius sent a shot to right field scoring Wiltermood from second and then would later score Flynn after traffic on the basepath made the ball get away.
With the lead sitting at 2-0 for The Mount, in the bottom of the third
Casey Kemp would help herself adding insurance. With runners on first and second with two outs, Kemp singled to right center field scoring both runs to take the lead to 4-0. In the 5
th, Bluffton would find a way to push across their first run of the ball game trying to claw back. But, in the bottom half of the inning, the Lions would find the leadoff batter of the inning on followed by a
Kaci Finchum double to put runners on first and second with no outs.
Casey Kemp would be the hero again at the plate with a double to left center field getting up against the wall and scoring both the runners to take a 6-1 lead. Later in the inning, Flynn would draw a two out walk bringing up the red-hot Cornelius to the plate. Macy sent a ball through the left side into left field scoring two more and putting the Mount ahead 8-1. In the 6
th and final inning,
Maddie Kennedy would single up the middle scoring the winning run from second base and giving the Mount a 9-1 game one victory.
In the circle, Kemp would pitch 6 innings allowing only 1 run on 3 hits and striking out 6 Bluffton batters. Kemp would also be the star at the plate going 2-3 with a game high 4 RBI's. To go along with Kemp's stellar day,
Macy Cornelius would bat a perfect 4-4 with driving in 3 RBI's and sealing two bases along the way.
GAME TWO: BU – 1 MSJ – 9
In game two of the afternoon, The Lions would turn to Sophomore
Courtney Keller in the circle. Through the first two innings, Keller would work out of a pair of jams to hang 0's in both innings on the score board. In the bottom half of the second, The Mount would take advantage of the first two batters reaching on a walk to make it first and second with no outs. With
Skylar Fletcher on second and
Kaci Finchum on first, the Lions would execute a double steal to perfection to get both runners into scoring position.
Maddie Kennedy would then hit a groundball to the left side of the infield which was plenty to drive the first run of the game in scoring Fletcher from third and giving the Mount a 1-0 lead.
The Top of the third inning poised trouble for the Lions as back-to-back walks to start the inning would allow the Beavers to score their first run to tie the game at one. In relief,
Hailey Johnson entered the game in the top of the 3
rd and was able to get out of the jam by forcing a fielder's choice groundout to third and striking out the final batter of the inning. The Lions wasted no time taking the lead back, two out lighting struck again as
Emily McDonald laced a single to right field and stole second to move into scoring position. Freshman first basemen
Sydney Hughbanks then doubled to left center scoring McDonald to take a 2-1 lead.
After a quiet 4
th inning from both teams,
Macy Cornelius led off the bottom of the 5
th with a double to right center. After an out and a pitching change, Hughbanks would earn her second hit of the night to put runners on the corners with 1 out.
Lauryn Miller then singled through the right-side scoring Cornelius from third.
Kaci Finchum followed with a rocket to the left center gap scoring another baserunner as the Mount took a 4-1 lead into the 6
th.
In the top of the 6
th, Johnson would quickly set down the Bluffton batters in order to get the hot bats back up to the plate. Damage would be quickly done as
Emily McDonald singled up the middle scoring another run for the Mount and giving them a 5-1 lead. After a steal from McDonald making, it second and third, Hughbanks connected for her third hit of the game scoring two more to lead 7-1. Following a walk, pinch hitter
Kayla Bain delivered a double to right center for an RBI and an 8-1 lead. With the runner on third base, Batters
Amanda Logeais and
Kelsi Stevenson would draw walks leading the mount to a 9-1 win in 6 innings.
Hailey Johnson entered in a tie ballgame and would not give up the lead the second she entered the game. Johnson was outstanding in the relief going 4 shutout innings allowing only 3 hits and striking out 5. At the plate,
Sydney Hughbanks led the Mount with 3 RBI's going 3-4 and scoring a pair of runs. Top two of the order in Cornelius and McDonald were also outstanding going 2-4 and scoring 2 runs apiece with each stealing a base.
UP NEXT: The Lions will be back in action this week as they Host Rose-Human on Saturday April 27
th for Senior Day! First pitch for game one of the double-headers is set for 1:00 PM!
