Posted: Apr 03, 2012
Rocky Mount, N.C. - The Battling Bishop softball team earned a USA South doubleheader split with William Peace University on Tuesday afternoon at Edge Field. Wesleyan got a walk-off three-run homerun by sophomore Paige Pritchett to take the opener 9-1, while the second game saw the Pacers rebound for a 7-4 victory.
Tied 1-1 early in the first game, the Bishops took the lead for good with a pair of runs in the third thanks to singles by Meredith Mills, Logan Tollison, Maria Seay and Kendra Hoes. Wesleyan added a two-run homer by freshman Carla Matthews in the fourth to go up 5-1.
In bottom of the sixth, Carly Creef and Matthews turned in back-to-back hits with one out, and Mills promptly drove home Creef with sharp single to center. This set the stage for a Pritchett's walk-off blast that put the Bishops up 9-1 and ended the game.
Sophomore hurler Leanna Fann (9-6) went the distance, allowing just one run (unearned) on four hits while striking out six.
In the nightcap, the Pacers scored five runs over the third and fourth innings to erase an early 2-1 deficit. Kendra Yearick (7-7) did the rest on the mound, allowing only two more Bishop runs.
Tatum Townsend drove in three of the Pacers' runs, while Amanda Rothwell went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. For NCWC, Matthews and Mills each drove in two as Matthews blasted her second homer of the day. Pritchett and Amanda Warley turned in two hits apiece.
Kelsi Bailey (5-8) suffered the loss, despite giving up only three earned runs.
Wesleyan (14-14, 5-11 USA South) travels to Guilford College tomorrow for a non-conference twinbill versus the Quakers. Game one is slated for a 3:00pm start.