Lions Recognize Senior Trio as they Sweep Rose-Hulman

CINCINNATI, Ohio - On Saturday April 27th, the Mount St. Joseph Softball program played host to the Rose-Hulman Fightin' Engineers. In the middle of the double-header, the Lions would honor their three Seniors who have had a lasting impact on this program. Senior Pitcher Casey Kemp has provided the Lions with 15 starts this season, carrying a 2.26 ERA, a team high 9 wins, and 65 strikeouts. Senior Pitcher Hailey Johnson has appeared in 11 games this season and holds a 2.55 ERA. Johnson has 2 wins on the season and 13 strikeouts. Senior at Third Base, Kaci Finchum! Finchum is batting .380 for the Lions this season with 9 doubles, and 15 RBI's. Along with the bat, Finchum has played a fantastic third base! We can't thank our seniors enough for their dedication to the MSJ Softball Program and wish them the best in the future!
 

GAME ONE: ROSE - 0   MSJ - 7 

In game one of the weekend series, Casey Kemp was handed the ball to lead the Lions to their 5th straight victory in conference play. Kemp was once again near perfect for the Lions as she hadn't allowed a hit through the first 6 innings. Though Rose-Hulman was able to tally a couple of hits in the final inning, it wouldn't take away from the outstanding 7 inning, 3 hit, 7 strikeout day for her 9th win on the season. 

The Lions would crack the scoreboard first in the ball game in the third inning when Alayna Flynn got the inning started with a single up the middle then stealing second base to quickly get into scoring position. After a ground out and a wild pitch which advanced Flynn to third, Emily McDonald would hit a one out single to left to give the Lions a 1-0 lead. After McDonald was also able to swipe second base, Freshman Sydney Hughbanks once again delivered a big time double to the right center gap to give the Mount a 2-0 advantage heading into the 4th. 

In the 5th, the Lions were able to add insurance runs as it seemed to be a pivotal moment in game one.  Flynn once again led off the inning this time drawing a walk and stealing second base. After a single from Cornelius to put runners on the corner, McDonald singled a ball to right field, scoring Flynn and taking a 3-0 lead. Still with no outs, Hughbanks lined a ball to left center clearing the bases for 2 RBI's to take a commanding 5-0 lead. With Lauryn Miller heading to the plate, the Fightn' Engineers would make a pitching change. Despite the change, Miller lined a ball through the left side once again putting runners on the corner with no outs. Skylar Fletcher entered the game as a pitch runner who would steal second base. On the play, Rose-Hulman would attempt to throw though to try and get the runner but they would be unsuccessful and Hughbanks would steal home and tack on another. The 7th and final run of the game would be scored in the inning as well off of a fielding error by the shortstop. Kemp would put an end to the ball game in the top of the 7th, giving the Lions a 7-0 game one victory. 

To go along with Kemp's outstanding day in the circle, Sydney Hughbanks would drive in 3 runs today going 3-4 at the plate. Alayna Flynn would also have a respectable game going 1-2, with a walk, a pair of stolen bases and runs scored. 
 

GAME TWO: ROSE - 1  MSJ - 5

In game two of the double-header, the Lions would crack the score column first once again. In the Bottom half of the third inning, DP Courtney Keller led off the inning with a single up the middle and then pinch ran for by Skylar Fletcher. Fletcher stole second base then was driven in by Avery Wiltermood for a 1-0 lead for the Lions. While the Lions had a chance to add on, Rose-Hulman was able to get out of the jam and keep it a one run ball game. In the 5th, the Lions continued to apply pressure on the base paths. Alayna Flynn was able to turn the lineup over with a single to left and another stolen base to move to second. Lead off batter Macy Cornelius found her way on with a bunt single to put runners on the corner. Next batter in McDonald would reach on an error and steal another base for the Lions. Scoring on the play would be Flynn from third. After the first out of the inning, Lauryn Miller would send a deep drive to right field that would stay in the park for a sacrifice fly for the second out of the inning. With a 3-0 lead and two outs, the Lions would not be done tacking on runs. Senior Kaci Finchum singled a ball through the right side into right center field scoring McDonald. After a Maddie Kennedy single, Courtney Keller delivered another big time swing driving in a 5th run for the Lions which was more than enough for starting pitcher Lauryn Miller. 

Miller led the Lions by going 5 innings allowing 2 hits and zero earned runs. In relief, Senior Hailey Johnson was also very productive closing out the game earning the final 6 outs. The Mount's bats remained hot as Senior Kaci Finchum provided a 2-3 day with an RBI, while Courtney Keller and Alayna Flynn would each go 2-2. 

UP NEXT: The Lions will be back in action on Tuesday April 30th for their final home stand of the season as they take on the Ohio Northern Polar Bears. First pitch in game one is scheduled for 4 PM