Lexington, Ky. – On Thursday May 9
th the Mount St. Joseph Softball program opened up their 2024 HCAC Tournament run against the Earlham Quakers. After grabbing the lead early, the Lions would find themselves trailing 3-2 down to their final six outs. Pinch hitters
Kelsi Stevenson and
Courtney Keller would deliver scoring 3 runs and propelling the Mount to a 5-3 victory in Round one!
The Lions would strike early in the first inning to grab a lead as
Macy Cornelius took the second pitch of the ball game down the right field line for a triple. Quickly after
Emily McDonald would hit into a sacrifice fly to shallow right field giving the Lions a 1-0 lead.
In the 4
th trailing 2-1, the middle of the Lions order would find a way to even the ball game. After a lead off error,
Skylar Fletcher would be bunted into scoring position then driven home by
Maddie Kennedy with a single up the middle.
After Earlham would grab the lead back in the top half of the 5
th inning, the Mount found themselves down to their final 6 outs but would show tremendous fight. Senior
Kaci Finchum started off the 6
th with a triple to the right center game as she would stand at third as the tying run. Kennedy would come up clutch again with another single this time through the right side. With one out, the lions would once again take advantage of an error from the Quakers defense as they would have runners on second and third with
Courtney Keller stepping to the plate. Keller then took the second pitch she saw to the left center gap clearing the bases and giving the Mount a 5-3 lead heading to the top of the 7
th.
Casey Kemp pitched well going all 7 innings allowing 3 runs on 6 hits while striking out 6. Earning the Round One victory for the Lions.
The Lions will be back in action tonight as they take on Franklin College in a winner's bracket semi-final matchup! First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM
