LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College softball team posted its first win of the 2017 season, defeating Findlay 11-2 on Sunday before falling to Bellarmine, 7-4. The Panthers move to 1-3 on the season.
Game One: Kentucky Wesleyan 11 – Findlay 2
The Panthers scored three runs in the top of the first inning and that's all they needed as they went on to beat the Oilers. With two outs and two runners in scoring position, Courtney Lockwood, Jamie Tempel and Jaclyn Parker hit back-to-back-to-back singles to drive in three runs.
In the bottom of the second, Maddie Dawson extended Kentucky Wesleyan's lead after reaching first on a dropped fly ball to centerfield. She advanced to third and scored on a throwing error by the centerfielder.
The Oilers scored one in the bottom of the fourth but their comeback hopes were quickly put to rest in the top of fifth inning when Alexis Mullen crushed a home run over the left field fence. Three batters later the Panthers struck again as Abbey Winstead reached on a fielder's choice. With two outs and runners on the corners, Meredith Daunhauer singled to first base, driving in Parker and putting the Panthers ahead 7-1 through five innings.
Kentucky Wesleyan kept pounding in the seventh innings, scoring four runs off of five hits. Jaylin Tidwell led off the innings with a double to right center and scored on a single from Lockwood. With the bases loaded and one out, Nease drove in two with a double down the left field line. Winstead brought home Parker with a single to cap off the 11-run game for the Panthers.
Lockwood finished game one three for four with three runs scored. Mullen and Nease each went two-for-four while Daunhauer went two-for-five. Nease and Lockwood led the Panthers with two runs batted in a piece.
Autumn Grady went the distance in her first win of the season. The sophomore struck out five and didn't give up any walks in her season debut.
Game Two: Kentucky Wesleyan 4 – Bellarmine 7
Bellarmine got on the board first, scoring five runs in the first two innings. The Panthers fought back to get runners on the corners with one out. Mullen knocked the ball out of the park for their second home run of the day, pulling the Panthers within two.
The Knights tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth and a one-two-three inning for both teams in the fifth would keep the score at 7-3 Bellarmine entering the sixth inning.
Mullen led off the inning with a double to right center and advance to third with a ground out from Lockwood. Parker ripped a single up the middle to drive in Mullen, but it was too little too late as Bellarmine held on for the win.
Mullen batted a perfect three-for-three in game two, driving in three runs and scoring two herself. Tidwell went two-for-four with one run scored while Temple and Daunhauer each had one hit.
Casey Smith suffered her first loss of the season after pitching 2 innings and allowing five runs off of four hits. Jessica Carmon closed out the final four innings, allowing two runs off of four hits.
The Panthers will be back in action next weekend as they head to the Music City Invitational in Hendersonville, Tenn. Kentucky Wesleyan will face McKendree and Ohio Dominican on Feb. 18, followed by Truman State and Lindenwood on Feb. 19.
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