Big Bats Power Lions to Doubleheader Sweep
February 7, 2012MARS HILL, N.C.-- Mars Hill broke out the big bats, hitting seven home runs to earn a pair of 8-0 victories over Virginia Intermont and open the season with a sweep. Mars Hill is now 2-0 on the season. Virginia Intermont fell to 0-2.
Taylor Morris led the power surge with three home runs, while Natalie Haithcox and Megan Arrington each added a pair of bombs. Morris finished a perfect day at the plate with four hits. That was more than enough offense for Lions pitchers Morris and Taylor Hussey, who each pitched complete game shutouts in the five-inning mercy-rule shortened games.
Game One
Haithcox and Morris each hit two home runs to power the offense, while Morris went the distance in the circle to earn the victory. Morris struck out six, walking just one and allowing a single hit over her five innings of work.
Mars Hill wasted no time breaking through early, striking for two runs in the bottom of the first. Robyn Stanek drew a two-out walk, which set up the first bomb of the afternoon by Haithcox. The senior lined a pitch deep to left center for the first runs of the Lions' season and a 2-0 Mars Hill lead.
The middle of the Lions lineup struck again in the third, this time with back-to-back home runs by Haithcox and Morris. Haithcox got the fun started with a line-drive shot to left field, which Morris followed with a bomb to right-center to make the score 4-0.
Morris later capped a four-run fourth inning with her second home run of the day, a three-run shot. In addition to her work on the mound, Morris was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored, the pair of home runs, and four RBI's.
Game Two
Two home runs by Arrington and a complete game effort by Hussey highlighted the second 8-0 victory of the day for the Lions.
Arrington drove in four runs on a two-run homer, a solo homer, and an RBI-single. The sophomore outfielder finished the game with three hits and a pair of runs scored. Morris added her third home run of the day, a solo shot, in the fourth inning.
After working out of a second-and-third, none out jam in the first, Hussey settled in and allowed only three baserunners the rest of the way for her first collegiate victory. The freshman struck out three.
Mars Hill will be in action again Friday when they travel to Hartsville, S.C. for a matchup with Coker. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
