Softball hosted neighboring Methodist University JV squad on Wednesday, March 20 for a doubleheader. The Trojans ended the first game early and had a big inning in game two to secure a sweep of the Monarchs.
FTCC vs. Methodist University JV (8-0, Win 5-innings) & 6-1, Win)
Game One
The Trojans scored in every inning and shut out the Monarchs to end the game in 5-innings.
Three runs were scored in the bottom of the first inning. Isabella Finelli (Pembroke, NC) started her first at bat off with a double to left field. With two outs, Nyla Mitchell (Lumberton, NC) hit a full count two-run homerun over center field fence to put the Trojans on top early. Kaylee Frank (Fayetteville, NC) followed with a single to keep the inning going and later scored on a single from Tam Lowery (Raeford, NC).
The Trojans scored three more runs in the bottom of the second to advance their lead to six. Trinity Gaither (Bunnlevel, NC) drew a two out walk to get a rally started. Morgan Brady (Fayetteville, NC) hit her in on a double to center field. After a Monarch error that scored Brady, Frank hit her second single of the game to plate one more run for the Trojans.
Lowery led off the third with a double to right field. With one out, Madeline Burns (Sanford, NC) singled to put runners on the corners. Finelli hit a sacrifice fly to score the Trojans seventh run of the game.
The Trojans scored their final run they needed in the bottom of the fourth. Brady started the inning off with a walk to get on base. With two outs, Ava Basolt (Sanford, NC) had a double to center field to score Brady from third base.
Basolt pitched a full five innings for the Trojans. She shut out the Monarchs only allowing four hits with two strikeouts. Frank and Lowery were both 2-3 leading the offense for the Trojans.
Game Two
The second game of the doubleheader was different than the first. The game stayed tied at one run up until the bottom of the sixth when the Trojans rallied to score five runs to secure the second win of the day.
The Monarchs scored early in the top of the first inning, but did not score another run for the rest of the game. Lowery pitched six innings for the Trojans allowing four hits and one run while striking out eight. Basolt pitched the final inning to close out the game.
The Trojans did not score their first run until the bottom of the third inning. Lowery and Faith Martin (Gatesville, NC) led off with back to back singles. With two outs and the bases load, Martin scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at one.
No more runs were scored for either team until the bottom of the sixth when the Trojans plated five.
Mitchell started the inning off with a double down the left field line. She advanced to third base on a passed ball and scored off of a sacrifice fly from Basolt to take the first lead of the game. Lowery singled to keep the Trojans going and Martin walked. Burns, Finelli, Gaither and Brady all hit back to back singles to plate three more runs to secure the win.
Martin went 2-2 with a walk and Gaither had two RBIs.
Softball is back at home Friday, March 22 for a conference doubleheader starting at 1pm against Southeastern Community College-Whiteville. They will travel to Whiteville to finish game three of this conference series on Tuesday, March 26 at 1pm.
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