MARS HILL, N.C. – UVA Wise softball earned a doubleheader sweep of Mars Hill University Saturday afternoon on the road. The Cavaliers rallied for a 4-2 game one win before posting an 11-3 run-rule victory in six innings in the second game of the day. Senior Kaylee Jones set the program's all-time home run record with her two-run bomb in the first game, posting 32 career home runs.
Mars Hill (12-23, 3-19 SAC) recorded three hits in the bottom of the first but nothing came of it as the Lions left one stranded. With two outs, back-to-back walks put freshman Jenna McDermott and senior Casey Chambers on base in the top of the second but UVA Wise (16-17-1, 11-11 SAC) could not push a run across as the game remained scoreless through the first three frames.
The Lions drove in two runs to take the lead in the home half of the fourth. A one-out single for Ashley Evans followed by a Peyton Duba double put runners in scoring position for Mars Hill. Maggie Langheim's two-RBI single gave the Lions the lead with a fly out and line out leaving one on base for Mars Hill as the Cavs trailed 2-0 heading into the fifth inning.
UVA Wise took the lead in the top of the fourth scoring four runs in the inning. A hit by pitch put senior Casey Chambers on base with two outs. Senior Kailey Huffman's double down the left field line advanced Chambers to third with the Cavs looking to score. A Mars Hill error sent home Chambers and Huffman as freshman Kara Long reached first to knot the affair at 2-2. Jones' homer to center field scored the winning run to put the Cavs in front 4-2. Senior Katie Russell recorded a hit for the Cavs with a single to third base before advancing on a wild pitch, but Mars Hill's Emily Van Hom registered the final out on a strike out to end the top of the frame.
The Lions posted two hits in the bottom of the inning to put runners on second and third, but senior Raychel Lapallo struck out Mars Hill's Brookelynn Nanney for the final out of the game as the Cavs held on to take game one.
Lapallo (7-7) earned the win in the circle as she yielded nine hits and struck out three in a complete game effort.
The Lions' Marissa Adame (7-11) suffered the loss as she allowed two hits and gave up three runs while striking out 13 batters across 4 2/3 innings of work.
Neither team scored in game two until the top of the fourth frame when UVA Wise pushed across five. A leadoff walk for senior Katie Russell followed by back-to-back singles by sophomore McKenna Falwell and senior Alexis Miles loaded the bases for the Cavs. McDermott reached on an error on the next at bat as Russell scored. Freshman Sarah Barrett followed with an RBI single to plate Miles. A two-out double off the bat of freshman Kara Long drove in three more to take a 5-0 advantage into the bottom half.
Mars Hill scored its first run of the contest on an RBI single by Langheim to trail 5-1 at the end of four frames.
UVA Wise extended its lead in the top of the fifth with three more runs. Russell reached first on an error before Falwell walked to put two on base. With two-outs, Barrett homered to left field scoring Falwell and Russell to go ahead 8-1. The Cavs tacked on three more in the top of the sixth with a three-run homer to right field off the bat of senior Alexis Miles to increase the margin, 11-1, going into the bottom of the sixth.
The Lions drove in two more runs with a Langheim blast to right center to cut into the Cavs lead, but it would not be enough as UVA Wise took the second game 11-3.
Miles homer in game two tied Jones' career home run record set in game one with both seniors now at 32 career home runs. The program home run record was previously set by Britney Lawson.
Falwell (9-7) earned the win in the circle scattering five hits and striking out eight across six innings.
Mars Hill's Emily Van Horn fell to 1-5 as she allowed three hits and struck out five in three innings.
Softball will return to action Sunday for its final regular season doubleheader at Tusculum. Game one is set for 1 p.m. in Greeneville, Tennessee.
