GOLDSBORO, N.C. – The Barton softball team (5-7) split a doubleheader with Fairmont State (1-1) Saturday afternoon at Carolina Athletic Park. The Fighting Falcons rallied to win the first game by an 8-5 score in eight innings while the Bulldogs salvaged the split with an 8-6 win in the nightcap.
Game One – Fairmont State 8, Barton 5 (eight innings)
The Falcons' Emma Paul (Kittanning, Pa.) forced extra innings with a solo home run in the seventh inning before Fairmont State plated three runs in the eighth frame highlighted by a two-run round-tripper by Kae Compton (Berkeley Springs, W.Va.) and the game-winning RBI triple from Alexa Andrews (Chester, W.Va.) as the visitors rallied from a 5-1 deficit for the triumph.
Barton junior second baseman
Madison Mercer (Kenly, N.C.) had a two-run single but senior
Kierstin Cooper (Nashville, N.C.) (4-4) suffered the loss. Fairmont State's Caitlin Morey (Huntingtown, Md.) (1-0) pitched nearly five innings of scoreless innings while striking out seven batters to earn the win.
Game Two – Barton 8, Fairmont State 6
Barton senior designed player
Gracelyn Massey (Princeton, N.C.) drove in four runs and hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning as the Bulldogs held on for the split.
Barton freshman
Ronnetta Gurley (Cove City, N.C.) (1-1) earned her first collegiate victory after going the distance and striking out three batters.
Fairmont State's Jaylin McGill (Cochranton, Pa.) drove in a pair of runs while Alyssa McCormick (North Huntingdon, Pa.) (0-1) was tagged with the loss.
Barton returns to Goldsboro, N.C., to take on Anderson in a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 1:00 p.m., while Fairmont State faces Chowan in a doubleheader on Sunday at Noon in Murfreesboro, N.C.
