Gulf Shores, Ala. -- The Lady Hawks split day two of the season; falling to No. 25 Lenoir-Rhyne 7-2, before bouncing back to earn a come-from-behind win over No. 23 Saint Leo to close out the day.
After the day, Shorter moves to 2-2 on the season and will wrap up play at the Gulf Coast Invite Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm ET against Nova Southeastern.
Game one remained scoreless through three, until Lenoir-Rhyne broke through to put the game away, scoring seven runs over the final three innings. Shorter managed to avoid the shutout, however, as they rallied for two in the seventh by taking advantage of a LR error that plated
Abi Valdes and
Amelia Olive.
Hannah Draper took the loss, pitching the fourth and fifth innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits with a walk.
Julie Sanderlin made the start and re-entered the game for the sixth and seventh, allowing one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts through five total innings.
In game two, Saint Leo jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, but it was short lived as the Lady Hawks countered in the second for three runs to take a 3-2 advantage as
Maddie Hunt and
Dani Lukas delivered RBI hits.
The Lions answered, however, with five runs of their own to make it a 7-3 game in their favor after three innings. Where the Lady Hawks tacked on one as
Carson Carriker scored on an RBI single from
Lindsey Newell. Only to have Saint Leo add a final run in the fifth to extend their lead to 8-4.
But, Shorter wasn't finished as they rallied for five in the sixth to earn the win. Hunt walked to start the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice from Carriker. Before coming in to score two batters later on a single from Newell. And after a single from
Kaylee Combs brought in Lukas;
Taylor Martin delivered the deciding blow – a three run homer to left that plated Combs and Valdes, who pinch ran for Newell. Saint Leo threatened in the sixth and seven, stranding two and three runners, respectively, as the Lady Hawks held on for the 9-8 win.
Payton Lippert earned the win, pitching the complete game; while allowing six earned runs on twelve hits with four strikeouts.
Newell finished the day 6-7 at the plate, including a perfect 4-4 in game two, with four RBI. While, Hunt, Taylor and Lukas each turned in a multi-hit day.
The Lady Hawks will look to close out the weekend in the win column Sunday afternoon against Nova Southeastern. Game time is set for 2:30pm ET.
