BANNER ELK, N.C. – The Barton softball team (23-5, 10-3) split a Conference Carolinas doubleheader with Lees-McRae (13-17, 7-5) Saturday afternoon at the Bobcats Field. The Bulldogs prevailed in the first contest by a 9-5 score while the Bobcats handed Barton a shutout in the nightcap, 8-0, to salvage the split.
Game One – Barton 9, Lees-McRae 5
Trailing by a 5-3 score entering the top of the fifth inning, Barton put together a six-run frame to take the lead for good on its way to the win.
Junior outfielder
Savannah Branch (Shallotte, N.C.) hit the game-winning, bases-clearing double in the inning after the Bulldogs tied the contest thanks to a two-run double from junior pitcher
AnnaKate Gilchrist (Clayton, N.C.). Gilchrist (5-0) also went the distance on the mound to earn the victory.
Lees-McRae lost despite home runs from Jasmine Fong (Apex, N.C.), Lauren Ritchie (China Grove, N.C.) and Jada Wilson (Valle Crusis, N.C.). Wilson (6-5), however, suffered the setback on the mound.
Game Two – Lees-McRae 8, Barton 0 (five innings)
Lees-McRae's Megan Powell (Eden, N.C.) (6-8) threw a no-hitter in addition to six strikeouts as the Bobcats run-ruled the Bulldogs. Lees-McRae took control from the start with a six-run first inning.
Ritchie drove in two more runs thanks to the game-winning hit in the frame while Rylie Webster (Yanceyville, N.C.) highlighted the frame with a two-run triple. Barton freshman
Miranda Holmes (Godwin, N.C.) (9-1) suffered her first loss on the year.
Barton returns home to host Shaw on Friday beginning at 2:00 p.m., in a doubleheader while Lees-McRae hosts King on Wednesday in a doubleheader at Noon.
