Womens softball suffers two losses in doubleheader homestand against UPike Bears
Laurinburg, N.C. - The St. Andrews Knights offense fell short Tuesday afternoon at home in their first conference test of the season against the University of Pikeville Bears.
Game #1
In game one of their two-game matchup, the visiting Bears came out swinging right away, connecting for three runs in the top of the first inning. Maddie Horn started the rally off with a double, quickly putting her team in position to score. Lillie Kluesner reached base on a successfully placed bunt down the third base line that Knights third baseman Haley Zimmerman was not able to convert into an out. After Kaden Dunlap walked to load the bases, Horn scored the first run on Sara Bays fly out to center field. Dunlap and Kluesner advanced a base in the process, keeping their offensive momentum alive.
Kluesner did not stay on base long, as she became the Bears second run on a passed ball by catcher Olivia Plybon. Dunlap followed not far behind on another passed ball, putting the Bears in front, 3-0.
Both teams settled in on defense to hold their opponent scoreless for the next two innings until the Bears struck again in the top of the fourth. Franklin's line drive base hit to left field scored Horn and advanced Kluesner who had reached base on an error. In an aggressive base running move, Kluesner stole home, extending the Bear's lead. The last run of the inning was scored by Alyssa Franklin on Bay's fly out.
The visitors added one more final blow to the Knights morale when Dunlap sent a soaring home run over the wall for the Bears seventh and final run of the game. The Knights were not able to muster together momentum in their final trip to the plate, giving their opponents a 7-0 win.
Game #2:
In the second game, the Knights struck in the bottom of the first inning when Meghan Fritz flied out, scoring Mullins from third, after her triple with two outs. The Bears fought back in the top of the third when Sam Case singled up the middle to center field. She found herself 60 feet away from scoring on third base after a wild pitch and a passed ball. Several batters later, Horn's ground out to third base was enough to score Case from third. At the end of three innings of play, the Knights were on top, 2-1.
Two costly walks by Knights pitcher Mullins opened the door for the Bears to put pressure on the Knights defense, and they did not waste the opportunity. With both runners in scoring position after advancing on passed balls, it was Case who secured her second hit of the day, safely scoring both runners and putting the Bears on top, 3-2. The Knights did not respond in the bottom of the inning, recording two strike outs and a ground out.
It was the same story in the top of the fifth, with a free pass to first base on a walk by Mullins to Katelyn Byrd. Horn's sacrifice moved her to scoring position, and Kluesners single to center brought her home for the Bears' fourth run.
The Bears defense stayed solid, sending Knight batters back to the bench with efficiency, supporting pitcher Kelsie Hardester's efforts. The Knights base runners were not able to get themselves into scoring position for the final four innings, leading to the Bears second victory of the day with a 5-2 win.
The Knights' record moves to 4-14, 0-1. Their next matchups are on the road against Union (KY) on Friday, March 8, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.