Madisonville, TN – The Patriots punched the 5-0 shutout after overpowering the Hiwassee Tigers in a 14-1 five-inning game one, led by
Tori Malone's four-RBI tally. UC extends their win streak to four after the mid-week series sweep, tallying a 10-8 overall record in their 2019 campaign.
Every starter on Coach Bailey Dillender's line-up crossed home plate in game one with the help Malone's,
Meryn Livingston's and
Maddie Sickau's combined nine runs batted in. Malone recorded a season high day at the plate with her four RBIs from her two hits, scoring once herself.
The Sidney-Sydney duo controlled the game in the circle, allowing three hits apiece through the game as well as three strikeouts apiece, and combined for one run allowed.
Sidney Pennycuff got the win after three-innings of work and
Sydney Maynard took to the rubber in relief. Pennycuff recorded her second-consecutive scoreless affair after recording a hitless, three-inning stretch against Asbury earlier this week.
Hannah Stephenson scored the solo-run in the first inning, singling to right field and rounding the diamond on a passed ball and wild pitch.
The Patriots offensive production began heavily in the second inning, tabbing nine runs to slate a 10-0 advantage. Malone checked the first major crack of the bat after placing her batted ball in left center to score
Madison Huber.
Corinne Haverland and Malone scored as Sickau penned a single to right-center after Jasper squeezed a bunt to arrive at first safely.
Emily Jasper's speed brought the rookie home on a passed ball, while a two-out error meant Livingston batting in two more for the Patriots and another errant throw moved the catcher into scoring position as well. Haverland singled shallow down the left-field line in her second appearance at the plate of the inning to juice the bases. Back up to bat, Malone tallied RBIs two, three and four by clearing the bases on a right-center deep ball.
Madison Huber made another spectacular diving grab in addition to several others recorded this season by the sophomore, this time leaping into the right-side hole to snatch the inning-ending out.
Sarah Biggerstaff reached on fielder's choice and subsequently stole second to edge into scoring territory. Sickau slashed a single into shallow center, allowing Biggerstaff to make the turn and score on fielder's obstructing the base path.
After allowing one Tiger to score in the fourth, Dillender and company responded with three of their own in the final inning.
Jenna Howell doubled a deep ball in left-center to put two in scoring position.
Harlie Keith came in to pinch hit, sacrificing a groundout to allow one to score. Livingston and Huber both placed shots into deep-right to combine for two more runs to score.
After canceling the upcoming games at Milligan due to field condition, Coach Dillender is looking to add a pair of games in replacement to complete the spring-break week before seeing Mid-South action take off on the road at #8 Lindsey Wilson on the following weekend.
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