Softball Splits with No. 13 William Carey

The Spring Hill College softball team split a conference doubleheader at No. 13 William Carey University taking the first game 4-1 and losing the second game 8-1 on Thursday afternoon.

The Lady Badgers took a third-inning lead in the first game when a run-scoring single by senior shortstop Jessica Walters and a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by left fielder Lauren Herrera gave them a 2-0 advantage.  The Lady Crusaders (21-4, 1-1 GCAC) answered with a lone run in the bottom of the frame, but Spring Hill College pinch hitter Carlene Bolton ripped a two-run homer to left field in the sixth inning that expanded the lead to 4-1.

SHC starter Brittany Abate (5-0) pitched four innings allowing one earned run off five hits with no walks and no strikeouts.  Samantha Brooks recorded her second save of the year in three innings of work with just two hits, one strikeout and no walks.  At the plate, Walters led the way with two hits and an RBI.  Catcher Jordan Tatum also had a pair of hits while Herrera had a hit, an RBI and a run-scored.

Brittany Ladner was the losing pitcher with 5.2 innings of work, seven hits, three earned runs, one walk and two strikeouts.

In the second game, WCU jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the first inning off SHC starter Lauren Herrera (1-6) with six hits.  Jill Wedgeworth and Devin King broke the game open with back-to-back two-run doubles in the inning.  Brooks pitched the final five innings for Spring Hill and allowed six more hits and two unearned runs with five strikeouts.

King picked up the complete-game win for the Lady Crusaders allowing four hits, an earned run, no walks and five strikeouts.

The Lady Badgers (14-11, 2-2 GCAC) next play Olivet Nazarene (10-3) in a non-conference doubleheader at home on Friday beginning at 10 a.m.