GREENSBORO, N.C. | Meredith College softball split Saturday's conference doubleheader against Greensboro College. Greensboro took game one 7-1, but Meredith battled back to win game two 7-6 in nine innings.
QUOTING HEAD COACH KIM SCAVONE:
"Very proud of how the team fought for the win in game two today. Ashbee's home run to put us ahead early in the game was incredible. With the tiebreaker, it is hard to win on the road in extra innings. Lillie battled hard in the circle and our defense came up with some big plays to help secure the victory."
Game One:
Meredith got on the board first in the top of the 1st inning.
Emilee Lewis led off with a single, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a walk to
Avery Puryear,
Sarah Manis singled to center field, driving in Lewis for a 1-0 Meredith lead.
However, Greensboro quickly responded in the 3rd inning. The first run came on a dropped fly ball by the Meredith left fielder, allowing Jillian Vitamanti to reach first and score on a sacrifice fly. The second run followed shortly after with a single from Raven Taylor, bringing Vitamanti home and giving Greensboro a 2-1 lead.
In the 5th inning, Greensboro exploded for three more runs. Ivy Ray tripled down the left field line, plating two runs, and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Taylor, pushing the lead to 5-1. The final two runs came in the 6th inning, as Kate Connell and Sam Conger both knocked in runs to make it a commanding 7-1 lead.
Pitching:
Greensboro's Ella Ebert (3-3) earned the win, tossing a complete game. Ebert allowed just one earned run on five hits, striking out 10 while walking two. Her impressive pitching performance stifled the Meredith lineup, holding them to one run over seven innings.
Meredith's
Lillie Davis (7-5) took the loss, working five innings and giving up six earned runs on six hits. Davis struggled with command at times, walking one and striking out three.
Emily Dorsey came in relief, pitching one inning and allowing just one hit, but the damage had already been done.
Key Performers:
- Greensboro:
- Ivy Ray (3 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 2 RBI) provided a critical two-run triple.
- Raven Taylor (2 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 2 RBI) had a solid game, driving in runs in both the 3rd and 5th innings.
- Ella Ebert (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K) delivered a dominant pitching performance.
- Meredith:
Game Two:
Meredith jumped on the board early, scoring two runs in the 3rd inning.
Sarah Manis singled home Standridge to tie the game at 1-1, and
Lillie Davis followed with a single to score Manis and give Meredith a 2-1 lead.
The big moment came in the 4th inning, with Meredith leading 2-1. Standridge stepped to the plate and launched a three-run home run to left field, scoring
Carson Griffith and
Emilee Lewis. The home run put Meredith ahead 5-2 and energized the team as they carried that momentum throughout the rest of the game.
Greensboro responded with a run in the 5th, thanks to a single from Jordyn Tong to score Ivy Ray. In the 6th, Greensboro continued to chip away, as Jillian Vitamanti and Ray each drove in runs to tie the game at 5-5.
However, Meredith wasn't done yet. In the 7th inning, Manis delivered a sacrifice fly to score Standridge and put Meredith back in the lead, 6-5. Greensboro responded in the bottom of the 7th when Ella Ebert singled home Kylie Nerell to tie the game once again at 6-6.
In the 9th, Meredith sealed the win. Standridge's aggressive baserunning put her in position to score on a sacrifice fly by Manis, giving Meredith a 7-6 lead they would hold on to for the victory.
Standridge's Impact:
Ashbee Standridge's three-run homer in the 4th inning was the defining moment of the game, as it gave Meredith a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Standridge finished the day with three hits, three runs, and three RBIs.
Pitching Performance:
Meredith's
Lillie Davis (8-5) earned the victory, pitching 4.2 strong innings in relief. Davis gave up three runs on five hits, striking out three and walking four. She provided steady relief after starter
Kaylee Manning, who worked 4.1 innings, allowed three earned runs on five hits, walking four and striking out one.
Greensboro's Raina Hampel (7-3) took the loss despite working 6.1 innings. Hampel gave up five earned runs on eight hits, including the crucial home run to Standridge, and struck out three while walking just one.
Key Performers:
- Meredith:
- Ashbee Standridge (5 AB, 3 R, 3 H, 3 RBI, 1 HR) delivered the game-winning home run.
- Sarah Manis (4 AB, 2 R, 3 H, 2 RBI) was a constant presence at the plate, including a key sacrifice fly in the 9th inning.
- Lillie Davis (4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 3 K) earned the win in relief, settling the game after Manning's departure.
- Greensboro:
- Ivy Ray (5 AB, 1 R, 3 H, 1 RBI) had a solid game at the plate.
- Jordyn Tong (5 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI) also played a key role in the offense, bringing home one of Greensboro's runs.
Up Next:
Meredith will look to continue their momentum into Sunday's doubleheader against Christopher Newport. Game one starts at 1:30 p.m.
