DEMOREST, GEORGIA – The Mount St. Joseph University softball team split their doubleheader Sunday at Piedmont University, falling in Game 1, 5–4, and winning Game 2, 10–4.
GAME ONE | MSJ 4 – Piedmont 5
After the Lions went three-and-out, Piedmont scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning, taking an early 2–0 lead. Both teams were held scoreless in the second, but in the third, the Mount scored two runs to tie the game at 2–2. Avery Wiltermood doubled, scoring Alayna Flynn, who had doubled earlier, and Shelby Rakosky. Piedmont responded with three runs in the bottom half of the third to take a 5–2 lead.
In the top of the fifth, after one out, the Lions recorded three straight singles from Shelby Rakosky, Avery Wiltermood, and Kaitlyn Randle. The next batter, Mackinley Lawson, drove a double into the right-center gap, scoring two and cutting the Piedmont lead to one. The Mount had baserunners in the sixth and seventh innings but couldn't bring them home, as they fell in Game 1, 5–4.
Shelby Rakosky went 1-for-4 with two runs scored. Avery Wiltermood went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Mackinley Lawson went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Clare Lopeman was excellent in relief, pitching 2 1/3 innings allowing just one hit.
GAME TWO | MSJ 10 – Piedmont 4
In Game 2, the Lions exploded for 10 runs on 19 hits. The bats came out hot as the Mount plated three runs in the first inning — one on a Mollie Sharp double to right-center and two on a Sydney Hughbanks double down the left-field line.
In the second inning, the Lions stayed hot. Skylar Fletcher doubled and eventually scored on a Shelby Rakosky single to center field. Rakosky later came around to score on a Mackinley Lawson single to center, giving the Mount a 5–0 early lead. Piedmont would fight back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the Lions' lead to 5–2.
In the bottom of the fifth, Piedmont added two more runs, and with two innings to play, the Mount held a 5–4 lead. In the sixth, the Lions added three runs to extend their lead to 8–4. Avery Wiltermood doubled, scoring Alayna Flynn, who had singled earlier. Mollie Sharp then singled to left, scoring Wiltermood and Shelby Rakosky, who had also singled earlier in the inning.
In the seventh, the Lions added two more runs on a Rakosky single and a Mackinley Lawson single, giving them a 10–4 lead. Piedmont recorded one hit in the seventh but did not score, as the Mount secured the 10–4 victory.
Shelby Rakosky went 5-for-5 with two RBIs and four runs scored. Avery Wiltermood went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Mollie Sharp went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs. Skylar Fletcher went 3-for-4 with two doubles. Lesleigh Reimers earned the win, pitching five innings only allowing two earned runs on five hits.
UP NEXT: The Lions will travel to Clermont, Florida, for their spring break trip, where they will open with a doubleheader on Monday, March 9. Game one is scheduled for 9 a.m. vs. Carthage College, with Game 2 to follow at 11:15 a.m. vs. Hiram College.
