Lions Softball Sweeps Doubleheader with Coastal Alabama
HANCEVILLE, AL | The Lions keep rolling after sweeping a doubleheader at home from Coastal Alabama. They have won 17 of their last 18 heading into the next-to-last weekend of conference play.. Wallace State defeated the Coyotes 4-3 and 4-2.
The Lions improve to 42-9 overall and 22-4 in conference. Coastal Alabama falls to 32-20 overall and 14-12 in conference play.
GM 1: Wallace State 4, Coastal Alabama 3
Kaelyn Jones got the Lions started with a single and then a stolen base in the bottom of the first inning. Brandy Phillips then singled to give Wallace runners at first and second. Jones gave the Lions a 1-0 lead when she scored on a passed ball. On the next pitch, Charli Kyser tripled to center to plate Phillips for a 2-0 lead. With two outs, Blakelyn Austin walked and then stole second. Kyser and Austin would then score on Leah Graves' single to left, giving Wallace a 4-0 lead.
The Coyotes responded in the top of the second with back-to-back singles followed by an error to load the bases. Taylor Hunt doubled to center to clear the bases and make the score 4-3.
After the hot start, pitching dominated the game for both teams, with the Lions holding on for the win.
Madeline Howard (16-3) pitched a complete game to earn her 16th win. She allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out three.
Phillips finished 2-of-3 with a run scored and a stolen base. Graves had a hit and two RBIs, while Kyser and Jones each had a hit and a run scored. Kyser also had an RBI. Reese Decker also finished 2-of-3.
GM 2: Wallace State 4, Coastal Alabama 2
The Coyotes grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second with a double, a single, and a fielder's choice to plate their run.
Wallace State responded in the bottom of the fourth with two runs to take the lead. Phillips started things off with a single and moved to third on Brooklyn Sertell's single. Sertell then stole second to give the Lions runners at second and third. Austin's groundout plated Phillips and moved Sertell to third. Sertell then scored on Graves' single to center.
Coastal Alabama tied the game at 2-2 with a run in the top of the sixth.
However, Wallace would regain the lead after Sertell doubled to center and was driven home by Austin's single to right. Graves hit into a fielder's choice and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Lexie Kelly, hitting for Decker, singled to left, plating Graves for a 4-2 lead.
The Coyotes threatened in the top of the seventh as they got runners on first and second before a ground out ended the rally and the game.
Ava Smith allowed two runs on seven hits while pitching a complete game. The win was her 15th of the season.
Sertell finished 2-of-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base, while Jones added two hits and a stolen base. Austin had a hit and two RBIs, while Graves and Kelly each had a hit and an RBI.
Upcoming
The Lions (42-9, 22-4) travel south to wrap up their series with Coastal Alabama (32-20, 14-12) on Saturday.