WISE – Softball split its doubleheader with Carson-Newman University Tuesday afternoon at Cavalier Field. Senior Kailey Huffman's RBI single gave UVA Wise a 3-2 walk-off victory in game one with the Eagles coming out on top in game two, 10-1.
The Cavs (6-13-1, 3-7 SAC) put two runs on the board in the bottom of the first on a two-out RBI double by senior Alexis Miles followed by an RBI single for freshman Sarah Barrett.
A fielder's choice put one runner on base for Carson-Newman (13-3, 8-2 SAC) in the top of the second but nothing would come of it as the Cavs got the final out to head into the home half. UVA Wise collected another hit in the second on a Huffman two-out single, but the right fielder would be left on base to end the frame with the Cavs still ahead 2-0.
Carson-Newman responded with a pair of runs to start the third inning on a KaraLynne Levi single down the left field line to knot the contest 2-2. The Eagles were able to get runners in scoring position in the top of the fifth, but would not push anyone across as the Cavs managed to work their way out of the top of the frame.
Still tied in the bottom of the seventh, Barrett hit a leadoff single to center with a sacrifice bunt by freshman Riley Hunt advancing her to second. Pinch hitting for sophomore Megan Wilson, sophomore McKenna Falwell knocked a single to right field before senior Casey Chambers drew a walk to load the bases. With one out, Huffman singled up the middle to score Barrett and earn the walk-off game one win, 3-2.
Barrett and Huffman each tallied two hits in the contest. Senior Raychel Lapallo (3-5) earned the victory in the circle as she scattered seven hits and struck out six in a complete game effort.
The Eagles Lacie Rinus (5-3) suffered the loss as she allowed six hits and fanned six across 6 1/3 innings.
UVA Wise recorded its first hit of game two on a double to left center off the bat of Barrett, but three straight outs would leave two on base for the Cavs to end the first frame.
Carson-Newman's Keeley Quillen belted the first home run of the game on a shot to center field to give the Eagles an early edge in the top of the second. Back-to-back fly outs and a ground out wrapped up the top of the frame with the Eagles in front 1-0.
The Eagles registered three more homers across the fourth and fifth inning to take go ahead 6-0 into the sixth. Carson-Newman used a four-run top of the seventh to extend the gap to double-digits.
A leadoff single by senior Kaylee Jones and back-to-back walks loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh for the Cavs. With one out, freshman pinch hitter Madison Milne's first career hit scored Jones with the bases still loaded. Back-to-back pop ups ended the inning as the Eagles picked up the win in game two, 10-1.
Falwell fell to 3-6 on the season as she allowed five hits and fanned five in 4 2/3 innings of work.
Carson-Newman's Morgen Baker-Celis (1-0) gained her first win of the campaign as she scattered three hits and struck out seven in a complete game effort.
Softball returns to action next Tuesday for a nonconference doubleheader against King University. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m. at Cavalier Field.
