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Recap | Box Score

May 15, 2010

Mars Hill's Big 7th Inning Eliminates Pirate Softball, 7-4

HICKORY, N.C. - The Mars Hill softball squad snapped a 2-2 tie with five unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning, claiming a 7-4 victory over Armstrong Atlantic State and eliminating the Pirates from the 2010 NCAA DII Southeast Regional.

The Lions (29-17) stay alive to face Augusta State in another elimination game later Saturday. The Pirates, who were making their eighth NCAA regionals appearance, finish their season 33-20.

Mars Hill took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. After Taylor Morris drew a one-out walk she was bunted over to second base and scored two batters later on a throwing error by the third baseman.

AASU tied the contest in the bottom of the third frame. With April Jowers on third base with one out, Bailie Temples singled to centerfield scoring Jowers to knot the game at one.

The Lions retook the lead in the top of the fifth.  With two outs and runners on second and third, Anna James singled to left field, scoring Ashley Angell from third base.

AASU scored the equalizing run in the bottom of the sixth. With runners on second and third, Ashley Buckett hit a sacrifice fly to right field, plating Shelby Duff from third.
 
Mars Hill broke the game open in the top of the seventh, scoring five two-out runs to take a 7-2 lead into the final half inning of play. The Lady Lions pounded out four hits and took advantage of three walks and one Pirate error in the frame.

AASU got two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to close the gap to 7-4 on a two–run double by Duff, but could not overcome the five-run deficit.

Mars Hill’s Tara West (15-8) picked up the win in the circle, scattering 10 hits and giving up four runs and one walk while striking out four. Megan Barnwell (15-9) took the loss for AASU, giving up eight hits and seven runs - only one earned - in 6 2/3 innings, walking five and striking out three.

Duff led the Pirates at the plate with three hits and two RBIs, while Temples and Jowers each had two hits. Mars Hill was led by Ashley Seawell, Amanda McArthur and Natalie Haithcox, who each had two hits apiece.