MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan Softball team suffered a doubleheader sweep against King despite a strong effort in the Conference Carolinas doubleheader on Friday afternoon.
THE BASICS
GAME ONE FINAL | Chowan 3, King 6 (8 innings)
GAME TWO FINAL | Chowan 1, King 3
RECORDS | Chowan 7-17-1 (1-9-0), King 16-8 (9-3)
LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Hawks Field)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORES
Kaitlin Brunelli went 3-3 with a double in the night cap to lead the Hawks.
Hannah Eden picked up two hits to go with four walks on the afternoon. Jesse Gentry picked up two RBI, while Eden and Serena Riley recorded one.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One: Chowan 3, King 6 – 8 innings
Neither team found the scoreboard through the first seven innings of the contest. Chowan looked to put a run on the board in the third as Paige Wilhelm led off the inning with a single to left. Wilhelm moved to second on a ground ball and swiped third with one out. The Hawks were unable to move Wilhelm past third.
King tried to crack the scoreboard in the fifth with a single and an error put runners in scoring position. A fielder's choice erased a runner at third before a fly out and a ground out ended the threat.
In the sixth, Chowan tried to rally as Hannah Eden drew a one out walk. Delaney Devor singled to right and Serena Riley drew a walk to load the bases. A double play would end the inning.
The Tornado would score six runs in the top of the eighth on five hits to lead 6-0.
In Chowan's half of the inning, Hannah Eden and Delaney Devor drew a pair of two-out walks to load the bases as Paige Wilhelm started on second. Serena Riley reached on an infield single to plate a run. Jesse Gentry singled up the middle to cut the deficit in half, 6-3.
After a pitching change, the Hawks were unable to continue the rally falling in extra innings.
Game Two: Chowan 1, King 3
Serena Riley was the first base runner for the Hawks after being hit by a pitch in the first inning.
King would take a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a lead-off home run.
The Hawks looked to get the run back in the bottom half of the inning as Kaitlin Brunelli doubled down the left field line. Kelsey Sonntag moved Brunelli over to third on a sacrifice bunt, but would be left stranded.
The Tornado rallied in the third to plate a run after a lead-off walk and a single. A double play limited the damage to a run, 2-0.
Hannah Eden drew a walk in the third before a double play ended the inning. EmaRae Flores worked out of a jam in the fourth inning as the Tornado loaded the bases. The defense posted a double play to keep the score at 2-0.
Kaitlin Brunelli picked up a single in the fourth. The Hawks were able to crack the scoreboard in the fifth inning as Meredith Morgan and Mikayla Luskin posted a pair of one-out singles. Hannah Eden hit a single to center field to score Morgan. Delaney Devor pushed runners up 60 feet on a sacrifice bunt, but would leave the runners stranded trailing 2-1.
After a two-out double, the Tornado posted an insurance run as an errant throw led to a 3-1 advantage.
Chowan looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs as Hannah Eden picked up a single and Delaney Devor drew a walk. Both moved up on a passed ball but would be left stranded in scoring position.
UP NEXT
Chowan hosts Lees-McRae on Saturday, March 27 in Conference Carolinas action. First pitch is slated for 1pm.
