Softball hosted Southwest Virginia Community College this past weekend in a three-game conference series. The Trojans outscored the Flying Eagles 29-2, ending each game early in 5-innings. This was the first conference win for softball on the season improving their overall record to 9-13 and 3-9 in conference play.
FTCC vs. Southwest Virginia- (8-0, Win / 10-0, Win / 11-2, Win)
Game one, 8-0 (5-innings)
The Trojans got on top early when they scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Isabella Finelli (Pembroke, NC) led the inning off with a walk and Trinity Gaither (Bunnlevel, NC) singled on a bunt hit. With one out, Nyla Mitchell (Lumberton, NC) hit a hard single up the middle to score both Trojan baserunners.
In the second inning, the Trojans added five more runs to their lead to break the game open. Kaylee Frank (Fayetteville, NC) started with a double to left field to get the rally going. Tamarah Lowery (Raeford, NC) then walked and both runners advanced on a wild pitch in the next at bat. Ava Basolt (Sanford, NC) hit a sacrifice fly to left field to get an RBI and the Trojans scored their first run of the inning. The Flying Eagles had an error, which allowed another run to score before Gaither singled to the right field to score Basolt. With two outs, Mitchell singled to center field to score two more runners and get herself to four RBIs in the game.
The Trojans scored their final run to end the game early in the bottom of the fifth inning. Alyssa Lauber (Lillington, NC) drew a walk and Basolt hit a double to end game one.
Lowery threw a complete 5-inning game for the Trojans. She gave up only two hits, one walk, no runs and had six strikeouts.
Gaither went 3-3 at the plate and Mitchell had four RBIs.
Game Two, 10-0 (5-innings)
The Trojans started off game two the same as the first. They scored two runs in the first inning to take the lead early and never lose it.
Finelli led off with a line drive double followed by a single from Gaither. Finelli scored the first run on a passed ball before Morgan Brady (Fayetteville, NC) singled to score the Trojan’s second run.
In the bottom of the second the Trojans had a quick two outs to start the inning, but that did not keep them from scoring three runs. Madeline Burns (Sanford, NC) and Finelli had two-out singles to get two runners on base for the Trojans. Gaither had her second hit of the game to gain one RBI. Brady followed the three singles with a double to center field to plate two more Trojan runners before the third out of the inning.
Frank scored the only run in the third inning reaching base on a double to center field and then she advanced to third on a passed ball and ended up scoring on another passed ball.
The Trojans scored the rest of the runs they needed in the bottom of the fourth inning so they did not have to hit in the fifth. Finelli led off the inning with a single, her third hit of the game. With one out, Brady hit another double to score Finelli from second base. Mitchell singled to left field to put runners on the corners. Frank hit a sacrifice fly to score Brady before Lowery hit a two-run homerun to put the Trojans up by ten.
Basolt pitched a complete game for the Trojans giving up three hits, one walk and no runs. She had four strikeouts.
Finelli went 3-3 and scored three runs, Brady went 3-3 with two doubles and four RBIs. Frank was 2-2 with a double and a sacrifice fly, Lowery was 2-3 with a homerun.
Game Three, 11-2 (5-innings)
The Flying Eagles took the lead in the top of the third inning for the first time in three games, but the Trojans responded right back in the bottom of the third to pull ahead and never stop.
The Trojans scored one run in the bottom of the second inning when Krista McLean (Dunn, NC) and Basolt walked with one out. Lauber moved them over with a sacrifice bunt then McLean scored on a passed ball.
To take the lead back in the bottom of the third, Gaither led off with a single follow by a Brady double to tie the game at two. Frank came up to bat and hit a single to put runners on the corners for the Trojans for Mitchell. Mitchell hit a line drive to left field to give the Trojans the lead back. Lowery entered the game to hit and doubled to the center field fence. Basolt hit a sacrifice fly to plate one more Trojan run before the final two outs of the inning.
The Trojans had their biggest inning of the weekend in the fourth when they scored six runs on five hits. Finelli and Gaither had back to back singles. Brady walked and Finelli scored on a passed ball for the first run of the inning. Frank walked before Mitchell grounded into a fielder’s choice allowing Gaither to score from third base. Lowery had her second hit of the game to score two more Trojan baserunners. Basolt kept the rally going with a single and Burns added a double to center field to give the Trojans 11 runs.
Faith Martin (Gatesville, NC) pitched a complete game for the Trojans. She gave up seven hits and two runs, while striking out two and allowing no walks.
Lowery went 2-2 with with three RBIs and a double. Gaither was 2-3 and scored two runs.
Softball is at home all this week as they host Methodist University-JV on Wednesday, March 20 at 4pm for a doubleheader. Then they are back at home on Friday, March 22 to start their next conference series against Southeastern Community College at 1pm.
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