Softball Splits With Johnson C. Smith

Carol-Anne Sherrill Drove In Three Runs, Including A Solo Homer, In The Game Two Win

The Belmont Abbey softball team split a doubleheader with the visiting Johnson C. Smith Bulls this afternoon on Senior Day at Crusader Field, dropping the opener 3-2 and taking game two 9-1 in five innings. Belmont Abbey is now 19-21 on the year.

In game one, the Abbey scored the first two runs of the game, scoring single runs in the second and third to claim a 2-0 lead. In the second, senior first baseman Tara Ruebel singled and moved to second on a groundout by Kim Anders. A wild pitch moved her to third. After a popout, she scored on a wild pitch to put the Crusaders ahead 1-0.

One inning later, Megan Riveros drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and moved to third when the throw sailed into the outfield. She scored on a fielder's choice by Carol-Anne Sherill to move the lead to 2-0.

That was the score until the top of the fifth when the Bulls took advantage of two Abbey errors to score three unearned runs. Alexis Webb reached by error and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. A bunt single by Maura Elliott moved her to third, but she was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice.

Alex Buckley followed with a single that scored Elliott to trim the lead to 2-1, and Buckley and Saman Smith scored on a fielding error off the bat of Nij Braddox to knot the game at two.

The Abbey did not threaten again as the Bulls took game one. Kawehionapua Chan took the win after giving up two runs, one earned, on five hits in seven innings. Emily Self took the loss after giving up three unearned runs on six hits in six and one-thirds innings.

In game two, the Abbey wasted no time breaking the game open, scoring four times in the bottom of the first, getting a two RBI single from Sherrill and RBI singles by Megan Mullis and Becca Rothrock.

One inning later, Sherrill made it 5-0 with a solo homer. JCSU answered with one run in the top of the third as Webb led off with a single, stole second and scored on a single by Smith to trim the lead to 5-1.

In the bottom of the inning the Abbey put the game away by scoring three times, using a two RBI single from Alysia Stewart. Stewart later scored on a sacrifice fly by Riveros to push the lead to 8-1.

In the fourth, Rothrock blasted a two out solo homer to right to extend the lead to 9-1. Sami Michaelis retired the side in order in the top of the fifth to end the game right there.

Michaelis earned the win after striking out eight in five innings, surrendering one run on four hits. Allycia Watanbe took the loss. She gave up eight runs, six earned, on nine hits in two and one-thirds innings.

Kasey Kerley, Rothrock and Sherrill all finished two for three. Sherrill drove in three runs.