Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 by Benny Benton
WILSON, N.C. – Barton College pitchers Liz White and Hayley Baxley combined on a four-hit shutout in game one, and the BC offense collected 12 hits in game two as the Lady Bulldogs swept visiting Fayetteville State University, 5-0 and 8-5, in a non-conference softball doubleheader Thursday at Jeffries Field.
Barton improved to 12-14 on the season, while the Broncos fell to 3-14.
In the opener, the Lady Bulldogs scored in each of their first three at-bats to give White a comfortable early lead.
Barton took a 1-0 lead in the first when Kendra Kassonie was hit by a pitch from FSU starter Kyrin Walker (1-4), stole second, moved to third on an error and scored on a bases-loaded walk to White.
In the second inning, singles by Samantha Bass, Megan Kelly and Kassonie loaded the bases with one out for Rachel Jordan, who singled up the middle to score two runs and increase the lead to 3-0.
The Lady Bullldogs tacked on two more runs in the third on another bases-loaded walk and an RBI infield single to short by Kassonie.
The five runs were more than enough for White and Baxley. White (2-8) worked the first four innings, giving up three hits, walking two and striking out four. Baxley tossed the final three innings, giving up just one hit. She did not have any walks or strikeouts.
Amanda Anderson had two of Fayetteville State's four hits, and Sierra Henderson-Holmes had a double in two official at-bats. That first-inning double was one of just three occasions in the game when the Broncos reached scoring position.
In the second contest, Barton exploded to a quick 5-0 lead in the first inning, as FSU pitcher Rebecca Polaschek (2-5) got off to a rough start, surrendering five hits and uncorking three wild pitches. Barton also stole four bases in the frame, with Kelly swiping three of them by stealing second, third and home after reaching base on a leadoff single. Betsy Braswell, Crystal Britton and Bass each had an RBI in the big inning.
The Lady Bulldogs took advantage of their speed again in the second inning, as Kassonie walked, stole second and later scored on a single to left by Braswell, increasing Barton's lead to 6-0.
Fayetteville State got on the board for the first time in the doubleheader in the third inning as Daniqua Taylor drew a two-out walk from Barton starter Lindsey Sharpe and scored on a three-base error in right field off the bat of Jessica Randolph. Alex Wickham followed with an RBI single to right-center, cutting the Broncos' deficit to 6-2.
The Lady Bulldogs got one run back in the bottom of the fourth when Kassonie walked, stole second and scored on a throwing error from third base. However, the Broncos erupted for three runs in the top of the fifth inning off Barton reliever Amber Pittman (4-2). Singles by Anderson and Taylor, a wild pitch and a stolen base put two runners in scoring position for Randolph, who doubled down the right field line to drive to drive both in. Wickham sacrificed Randolph to third, where she later scored on a wild pitch to pull the Broncos within two at 7-5.
However, Pittman retired the final six Fayetteville State batters she faced to prevent any further comeback. She was also given an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth after the Broncos committed a pair of errors.
Sharpe, the Barton starter, gave up two hits and no earned runs in 3.1 innings of work, walking two and striking out three. Pittman allowed three hits and three runs, did not walk a batter and struck out a pair.
Braswell went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Lady Bulldogs with two RBI. Bass went 2-for-2 with an RBI, and Kassonie walked three times, stole four bases and scored four runs.
Randolph came off the bench to collect two RBI and two runs scored for FSU.
Barton, which has now won its last three games, is scheduled to host Pfeiffer University in a Conference Carolinas doubleheader on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., weather-permitting.
