BEREA, KENTUCKY — The Mount St. Joseph University softball team swept its doubleheader on Tuesday evening at Berea College, winning Game 1, 7–0, and Game 2, 4–1.
GAME ONE | MSJ 7 – Berea 0
Through the first four innings, neither team could plate a runner, although the Lions had multiple opportunities. Mount pitcher Lesleigh Reimers carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning, allowing her first hit with two outs in the bottom of the frame after 3.2 hitless innings.
In the top of the fifth, the Lions plated four runs to take a 4–0 lead. Avery Wiltermood doubled to left field, scoring Skylar Fletcher, who walked, and Alayna Flynn, who singled. Mackinley Lawson followed with a single through the left side, scoring Shelby Rakosky, who also walked. The Mount added its final run of the inning on a Kaitlyn Randle RBI groundout, scoring Wiltermood.
In the top of the seventh, the Lions added three more runs to extend their lead to 7–0. Natali McGuire hit a two-RBI double to center field, scoring Kennady Johnson—who pinch-ran for Courtney Hankenhoff—and Sydney Doyle, who had singled. Berea did not threaten in the bottom of the seventh, as the Mount secured the 7–0 victory.
Shelby Rakosky went 2-for-3 with a walk. Avery Wiltermood recorded a two-RBI double, while Natali McGuire also added a two-RBI double. Skylar Fletcher went 2-for-2 with two walks and an RBI. Lesleigh Reimers was outstanding, earning a complete-game shutout. She allowed just two hits, walked one, and struck out seven, improving her record to 8–3 on the season.
GAME TWO | MSJ 4 – Berea 1
In Game 2, Berea took an early 1–0 lead in the bottom of the first on a wild pitch. After that, neither team scored again until the seventh inning, despite multiple scoring opportunities for both sides.
In the top of the seventh, the Mount plated four runs to take a 4–1 lead. Mackinley Lawson got the Lions on the board with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Alayna Flynn, who led off the inning with a walk. With two outs, Mollie Sharp singled up the middle, bringing home Shelby Rakosky, who had singled, to give the Lions a 2–1 lead. Kayla Bain followed with a single up the middle, scoring Olivia Woodson, who pinch-ran for Sharp. The Mount added its final run when Skylar Fletcher was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in Sydney Doyle, who had walked.
Berea went down in order in the bottom of the seventh, as the Lions held on for the 4–1 win.
Shelby Rakosky went 2-for-3 with a walk. Mackinley Lawson recorded a sacrifice fly, while Mollie Sharp added an RBI single. Kayla Bain went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, and Calli Fletcher finished 1-for-3. Courtney Hankenhoff pitched five innings, allowing one run and striking out six. Clare Lopeman earned the win in relief, pitching two innings and striking out two, improving her record to 8–1 on the season.
UP NEXT: The Lions will wrap up HCAC play as they travel to Franklin, Indiana, to take on Franklin College. The Mount will look to secure at least a share of the HCAC regular-season title on Saturday, May 2. Game 1 is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., with Game 2 to follow at approximately 3:00 p.m.
