Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
by Kevin Buczek
CHARLOTTE, N.C.-Three Barton College pitchers held host Johnson C. Smith University to just one run and six hits over the course of a 4-0 and 7-1 NCAA Division II softball in-state doubleheader sweep on Friday afternoon at Biddleville Park.
Barton has won five of its last six games to improve to 12-13 overall. The Lady Bulldogs also snapped a four-game win streak by the Golden Bulls as Johnson C. Smith dipped to 12-21.
After sweeping Virginia Union University and splitting against Belmont Abbey College, Barton had to wait 10 days before taking the diamond again because of several postponed twin bills caused by rain. The long break did not slow down the Bulldogs as Barton ripped 18 hits Friday to remain undefeated against CIAA competition at 8-0.
Senior Kendall Street and sophomore Autumn Pittman combined for a three-hit shutout in the opener and junior Elizabeth Webb only allowed one run in the complete-game victory in the nightcap.
Street (3-4) tossed the first four innings to pick up the win and Pittman (2) recorded seven of the final nine outs with strikeouts to earn the three inning save. Webb (2-1) scattered just three hits and recorded eight strikeouts in her first complete game of the season.
Street, sophomore Alex Baylis and freshman Emily Leagon accounted for half of the Bulldogs 18-hit parade with three base knocks apiece.
Six straight Lady Bulldogs reached base in the third inning of the first game to give Barton a 3-0 lead. The rally started with consecutive singles by Leagon, Webb and Baylis. A double steal with Webb swiping second and Leagon stealing home started the scoring before a junior Amber Weaver double plated Webb and Baylis.
Baylis tacked on BC's final run with an RBI-single in the sixth. Baylis, Street and Leagon all had two hits.
Barton continued its strong play to begin the second game scoring four runs in the top of the first. Weaver knocked in the first run with a sacrifice fly, which was her third RBI of the day. A two-run double by Leagon in the left field gap extended the Bulldogs lead to 6-0 in the fourth before an unearned run in the fifth competed the scoring for the visitors.
Morgan was 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Freshman Alyssa Spell was also credited with an RBI.
The Lady Bulldogs swiped five total bases on the day including a pair of thefts by both Leagon and Baylis.
Webb allowed a leadoff double in the bottom of the first that resulted in JCSU's only run but the lefty settled down and only issued two more hits over the final six innings.
Barton visits a pair of Conference Carolinas opposition to conclude the weekend with doubleheaders at Limestone College on Saturday and King College on Sunday.
