Wilson, N.C. – The Chowan University softball team opened conference play on the road Tuesday afternoon with a doubleheader against Barton College. The Hawks earned a split on the day, coming up short in an extra-inning opener before bouncing back with a strong showing in game two.
The Hawks regrouped in game two, with all three of their runs scored in the fifth inning to secure a 3-2 victory.
With the results, Chowan opens conference action at 1-1 and improves to 9-6 overall on the season.
THE BASICS
FINAL GAME ONE | Chowan 2, Barton 3 (8 innings)
FINAL GAME TWO | Chowan 3, Barton 2
RECORDS | Chowan (9-6,1-1) Barton (8-10,1-1)
LOCATION | Wilson, N.C. (Jeffries Field)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
The Hawks struck first in the top of the third inning when Ava Mizell singled to left field, bringing home Alexis Denham for the early 1-0 lead. Barton answered in the bottom half of the frame to even the score at 1-1.
After a quiet fourth inning, the Bulldogs scored with a run in the fifth. Chowan responded in the sixth as Kyndal Hopkins launched a solo home run to left field, tying the game at 2-2 and forcing extra innings. The contest remained even until the bottom of the eighth, when Barton plated the walk-off run to take game one with a final of 3-2.
Mizell finished with a hit and an RBI, while Hopkins tallied a hit and the game-tying homer. Denham recorded a hit and scored a run, and Kyra Helton added a hit of her own. In the circle, Makenzi Curry tossed seven strong innings, striking out three, before Abby Rutledge entered in relief for the extra frame.
In game two Barton broke through first with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, but the Hawks answered in the fifth. Chowan plated all three of its runs in the top of the fifth to take control. Callie Tyndall got the momentum started after she singled to left field to score Mizell and put the Hawks on the board. Denham later drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Helton and tie the game. Lenita Bryson followed with a single to right field, scoring Calliope James for the go ahead and eventual game-winning run.
Emily Fowler started in the circle, pitching three innings before Rutledge came on in relief in the fourth and closed out the final three innings, striking out two and only allowing one hit to secure the victory.
UP NEXT
The Hawks travel to UNC Pembroke on Friday, March 6, for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., with game two set to follow at 3:30 p.m. in Pembroke, N.C.