WISE – Fiftteenth-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne and UVA Wise slugged it out for 14 innings of a doubleheader, but timely hits by the Bears enabled them to pull out the 7-4 and 5-3 wins over the Highland Cavaliers in the South Atlantic Conference series Thursday afternoon.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result Game 1: #15 Lenoir-Rhyne 7, UVA Wise 4
Result Game 2: #15 Lenoir-Rhyne 5, UVA Wise 3
Records: UVA Wise (19-9, 103 SAC); Lenoir-Rhyne (19-5, 4-0 SAC)
Location: Wise, VA | Bill Gatton Field
GAME ONE
- UVA Wise managed seven hits, including a home run, but was unable to overcome a three-run seventh inning by Lenoir-Rhyne.
- Lenoir-Rhyne took an early lead in the first inning with an unearned run when Alexandria Gray singled to center field, allowing Autumn Joyce to score.
- The Bears extended their lead in the fourth inning with Lani Warren hitting a solo home run to left field. Madison Wilson then tripled to left center, bringing in two more runs as Adriana Lamantia and Sage Young crossed the plate. By the end of the fourth inning, the Bears led 4–0.
- In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Cavaliers'
Kennedy Miller hit a solo home run down the left field line, putting the team on the board.
- UVA Wise narrowed the gap in the sixth inning. A fielding error by the right fielder allowed two runs to score, driving in
Sophie Easterly and
Taylor Noe to cut the Cavalier deficit to 4-3.
- The seventh inning saw Lenoir-Rhyne increase its lead further. Avery Kiger's single brought in one run, and Gray's two-run homer to left center extended the lead.
Mataya Ausmus doubled in the bottom of the seventh, and
Kaylynn Baker singled to bring in one run for the Cavs. However, the comeback fell short. The final score was Lenoir-Rhyne 7, the Cavs 4.
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Chloe Murphy pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and four runs, three of which were earned. She struck out three batters while issuing one walk and threw 66 pitches, 44 of which were strikes.
Olivia Shockley entered in relief for 3 1/3 innings, conceding three hits and three earned runs. She also recorded three strikeouts and one walk over 53 pitches, with 35 strikes thrown. Both pitchers faced challenges, with Murphy giving up a home run and a triple, while Shockley allowed a home run in her appearance.
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Kennedy Miller delivered a strong performance with two hits, including a home run, and drove in two runs.
Mataya Ausmus contributed a double and scored a run in her three at-bats.
Kaylynn Baker added a hit and an RBI while playing solidly at third base.
GAME TWO
- The Cavaliers managed nine hits, including a double, but could not overcome the Bears' three-run third inning.
-UVA Wise took an early lead in the first inning when
Kennedy Miller scored after reaching on a single and advancing on a walk and a fielder's choice.
- Lenoir-Rhyne responded in the third inning, scoring three runs. This included RBI singles from Warren and an RBI double by Faith Carrigan, giving them a 3-1 advantage.
- UVA Wise tied the game in the fourth inning.
Emmaleigh Banks, running as a pinch runner, scored on a wild pitch.
Adyson Gibson later scored on a sacrifice fly by
Ashley Morgan, bringing the score to 3-3.
- In the fifth inning, Lenoir-Rhyne regained the lead with a solo home run by Warren, making it 4-3.
- The final scoring play occurred in the seventh inning when the Bears added an insurance run, bringing the final score to 5–3 in favor of Lenoir-Rhyne.
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Angelina Branch pitched 5 innings, allowing 9 hits and 4 earned runs, while striking out 5 batters and issuing 2 walks. Her performance included 78 pitches, with 54 being strikes, and she faced 26 batters. Despite facing challenges, Branch managed to balance 5 flyouts and 5 groundouts.
Bayleigh Allison entered the game in relief, pitching 2 innings with 2 hits and 1 earned run. She registered 3 strikeouts and a walk over 44 pitches, 30 of which were strikes, contributing a double play to her line.
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Taylor Noe contributed with a solid performance, recording two hits and drawing one walk in three at-bats.
Kaylynn Baker added depth to the lineup by collecting two hits, including a double, and recording three assists from third base. Gibson scored one run and secured two hits, while also stealing a base.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will host Tusculum in a SAC doubleheader on Saturday, March 21, at 1 p.m. on the Bill Gatton Field. Tusculum enters the game 11-13 overall and 1-3 in SAC play after splitting a doubleheader at King earlier today, winning 4-1 and losing 5-0.
