A universal description of a young, inexperienced team in any sport is that have to “learn how to win.”
Concord's Softball team, which starts eight freshmen and a junior, may have had a learning experience Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Lions twice engineered a late rally to sweep Fayetteville State, 6-3 and 2-1, in a non-conference doubleheader at L.R. Sanders Field in Fayetteville, NC.
The sweep raised Concord's record to 2-2.
In game one, the Lady Lions broke a scoreless tie with a three-run rally in the top of the 3rd.
In the top of the 6th, holding a narrow 4-3 lead, Concord took control with a pair of funs. With one out, Marie Wilson was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a passed ball. Samantha Clement brought her home with a triple, and she would later score the final run on catcher's interference.
Rebecca Gleason went 3-4 with 3 RBIs, including a two-run single in the 3rd. Kaylyn Klatt was 2-4.
In the circle, Tamara Smith struck out 13 to get the win.
In game two, the Lady Lions spotted FSU a 1-0 lead, then evened the game when Tamara Smith doubled in Brooke Bowling in the top of the 4th.
The game remained tied until the top of the 7th, when Concord benefitted from a series of FSU miscues to take the lead. Emily Gallagher reached on an error to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a passed ball, and moved up to third on another passed ball.
Two batters later, Samantha Clement struck out, but reached first on an error, which allowed Gallagher to sprint home with the lead run.
Smith would allow a two-out single before inducing a groundout to end the game and complete the sweep.
Smith scattered five hits in the complete-game victory. She struck out five and, more importantly, walked none.
Concord is scheduled to visit Lees-McRae University for a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday, February 25th, in Banner Elk, NC.
