DEMOREST, GEORGIA – The Mount St. Joseph University softball team swept their doubleheader Saturday at Piedmont University by defeating Pfeiffer University 5-2 in Game 1 and Piedmont University 10-2 in 5 innings in Game 2.
GAME ONE | MSJ 5 – Pfeiffer 2
Pfeiffer got on the board in the bottom of the first, taking an early 1-0 lead. Both teams remained scoreless from the 2nd inning through the 4th, although the Mount had multiple opportunities. However, in the 5th inning, the Lions' bats would come to life. Skylar Fletcher led off the 5th with a single, and after a fly out, stole second. Shelby Rakosky would then single to right, advancing Fletcher to third. Avery Wiltermood would single, scoring Fletcher and putting the Mount on the board. After some changes by Pfeiffer, Kaitlyn Randle would single, scoring Wiltermood. The rally would continue with Sydney Hughbanks doubling, scoring Mackinley Lawson and Alix Streeval, giving the Lions a 4-1 lead.
In the bottom of the 5th inning, Pfeiffer would respond with a run of their own, cutting the Mount's lead to 4-2. The Lions would add another run in the 6th off a single from Shelby Rakosky, scoring Calli Fletcher, putting them up 5-2. Pfeiffer would threaten in the 6th with two hits, but the Mount would get out of the jam without allowing any runs, going on to take Game 1, 5-2.
Shelby Rakosky went 2-4 with an RBI, Sydney Hughbanks went 2-3 with a walk and 2 RBIs, and Mackinley Lawson went 2-3. Clare Lopeman earned her first win of the season, pitching seven innings while allowing eight hits and two earned runs. She recorded four strikeouts and did not issue any walks.
GAME TWO | MSJ 10 – Piedmont 2
Shelby Rakosky led off the game with a single and came around to score on a Sydney Hughbanks single, giving the Lions an early 1-0 lead. Piedmont would respond with 2 runs in the bottom half, taking a 2-1 lead going into the second inning. Both teams would go scoreless in the 2nd and 3rd innings, but the Mount would break through in the 4th when Alayna Flynn scored Hughbanks on a single. Rakosky would double the next at-bat, scoring two and giving the Lions a 4-2 lead.
The Mount would plate 6 runs in the 5th inning, securing a 10-2 run-rule win. After the Lions loaded the bases with walks and hit batters, Calli Fletcher, Skylar Fletcher, and Alayna Flynn all had RBI singles. Shelby Rakosky would then double, plating three and extending the Mount's lead to 10-2. Piedmont would threaten in the bottom half with two hits but wouldn't score, as the Lions would take Game 2 in 5 innings, 10-2.
Shelby Rakosky went 3-5 with 2 doubles and 5 RBIs, Alayna Flynn went 2-3 with 2 RBIs, and Skylar Fletcher and Sydney Hughbanks each went 1-2 with an RBI. Mollie Sharp earned her first win of the season, pitching five innings while allowing one earned run on eight hits. She struck out two and did not issue a walk.
UP NEXT: The Lions will stay in Demorest, Georgia, where they will play a doubleheader vs. Piedmont University on Sunday, March 1. Game one is scheduled for 11 a.m., and Game two is scheduled for 1 p.m.
