FLORENCE, S.C. – The Chowan Softball team battled but came up short in both contests on day two of the Patriot Invitational on Saturday.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Chowan 7, Mercy 10
FINAL | Chowan 4, Francis Marion 6
RECORDS | Chowan 3-4, Mercy 1-1, Francis Marion 10-1
LOCATION | Florence, S.C. (FMU Softball Field)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORES
Paige Wilhelm led the Hawks with four hits including a double. Jesse Gentry and Lindsey Stigler picked up three runs each. Stigler tallied three RBI, while Gentry added two RBI.
Meredith Morgan and Delaney Devor posted two hits each.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One: Chowan 7, Mercy 10
Mercy took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on three hits and an error. Delaney Devor would throw out a runner at the plate trying to score from second.
Jesse Gentry drew a two out walk in the second but would be left stranded. In the bottom of the inning, Mercy extended their lead to 4-0 as another Hawk miscue led to unearned runs.
Chowan benefited from three errors in the inning by the Mavericks. Mikayla Luskin reached on an error by the pitcher before a throwing error allowed Paige Wilhelm to circle the bases for a four-base error. Delaney Devor, Brittany Parson and Lindsey Stigler singled to load the bases. A passed ball and a throwing error led to two more runs for the Hawks.
The Hawks looked to rally in the fourth inning as Paige Wilhelm picked up an infield single and swiped second base. Delaney Devor drew a full-count walk but was left stranded.
Mercy broke the game open in the bottom of the inning as the Mavericks plated five runs on six hits to lead 9-4.
Jesse Gentry picked up a two out single in the fifth inning.
Chowan closed the gap to 9-7 in the sixth inning as Mikayla Luskin drew a one-out walk followed by Paige Wilhelm reaching on an error with a sacrifice bunt. The error allowed Luskin to score. Wilhelm advanced to third on Delany Devor's sacrifice bunt. Serena Riley reached on an infield single before Lindsey Stigler doubled home a pair of run to left center. Kelsey Sonntag drew a walk before the end of the inning.
The Mavericks threatened in the bottom of the sixth inning with runners on the corners pushing across a run on a stolen base during a rundown. A double play ended the inning, 10-7.
Shannon Buchanan picked up a hit in the seventh inning but was unable to mount a rally.
Game Two: Chowan 4, Francis Marion 6
Paige Wilhelm led off the game with a base knock up the middle before being wiped away on a caught stealing. Delaney Devor doubled to right center and moved to third on a ground out. Jesse Gentry singled home a run to lead 1-0.
Francis Marion evened the game in the bottom of the inning as two free passes aided the run scoring opportunity.
Chowan struck for three runs in the top of the third inning as Paige Wilhelm had a lead-off double to left. Lindsey Stigler singled home Wilhelm before Jesse Gentry doubled home the pinch running Jalyn Miller. Meredith Morgan singled home Gentry to lead 4-1.
Francis Marion rallied in the bottom of the third inning to even the score at 4-all.
Mikayla Luskin started off the fourth inning with a walk followed by an infield single by Paige Wilhelm. Back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning for the Hawks.
The Patriots took the lead in the bottom of the inning as an error helped continue the inning for Francis Marion to lead 6-4.
Hannah Naifeh drew a lead-off pinch hit walk in the top of the sixth. Paige Wilhelm reached on an error but the rally fell short to end the inning.
The Hawks were unable to pick up the runs needed in the top of the seventh to fall 6-4.
UP NEXT
Chowan wraps up the Patriot Invitational against Mercy and Mars Hill on Sunday, February 16. First pitch is at 10am against Mercy.
