CINCINNATI, OHIO — The Mount St. Joseph University softball team swept its Senior Day doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, celebrating seniors Avery Wiltermood, Skylar Fletcher, Lilly Kapala, and Lauryn Miller. The Lions defeated Anderson University 7–1 in Game 1 and 6–1 in Game 2.
GAME ONE | Anderson 1 – MSJ 7
Through the first three innings, neither team could capitalize with runners in scoring position, and the score remained tied at 0–0. In the top of the fourth inning, the Ravens struck first, taking a 1–0 lead midway through the game.
In the bottom half of the fourth, the Mount responded with four runs on six hits to take a 4–1 lead. The scoring began when Kaitlyn Randle drove in Natali McGuire with a sacrifice fly, and Calli Fletcher scored on the throw. The next batter, Shelby Rakosky, doubled to center field, scoring Skylar Fletcher, who had reached on a bunt single. The Lions capped the inning when Courtney Hankenhoff singled up the middle, scoring Rakosky to make it 4–1.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Lions added three more runs on four hits. Natali McGuire led off the inning with a home run to left-center, extending the lead to 5–1. With two outs, Avery Wiltermood singled up the middle, scoring Calli Fletcher and Alayna Flynn, who had both singled earlier, to push the score to 7–1. Anderson went quiet over the final two innings as the Mount secured the Game 1 victory.
Shelby Rakosky went 2-for-4 with an RBI double, Avery Wiltermood went 2-for-4 with a two-RBI single, and Courtney Hankenhoff went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Natali McGuire went 2-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk, while Calli Fletcher added two hits. Clare Lopeman earned the complete-game win, striking out six and walking none to improve to 7–1 on the season.
GAME TWO | Anderson 1 – MSJ 6
In Game 2, the Lions threatened in the first two innings but could not score, as the game remained tied 0–0 after two. In the bottom of the third, the Mount scored two runs to take a 2–0 lead. Sydney Doyle singled through the left side, scoring Alix Streeval, who pinch ran for Mackinley Lawson after Lawson led off the inning with a walk. Later in the inning, Doyle scored on a single to left field by Skylar Fletcher.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Lions added two more runs to extend the lead to 4–0. Mackinley Lawson homered down the left-field line, scoring Avery Wiltermood, who had reached on an error.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Mount added two more runs to take a 6–0 lead. Avery Wiltermood delivered a two-RBI single, scoring Calli Fletcher and Skylar Fletcher, who had both singled earlier in the inning. The Ravens plated a run in the top of the sixth, but it wasn't enough, as the Lions went on to win Game 2, 6–1.
Shelby Rakosky recorded a triple, Avery Wiltermood had a two-RBI single, and Mackinley Lawson went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run and a walk. Skylar Fletcher went 3-for-3 with an RBI, and Alayna Flynn went 2-for-3. Mollie Sharp earned the complete-game win, striking out five and walking none to improve to 8–5 on the season.
UP NEXT: The Lions will continue HCAC play as they travel to Berea, Kentucky, to take on Berea College on Tuesday, April 28. Game 1 is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., with Game 2 to follow at approximately 6:30 p.m.
