Concord Splits with Carson-Newman

ATHENS, W.Va- The Concord University softball team split a two-game set with visiting Carson-Newman in softball action on Wednesday afternoon at the CU Softball Complex. 
 
Concord now stands at 10-3, while Carson-Newman currently sits at 13-6. 

Game 1- Carson-Newman 8 - Concord 5
Five runs by Carson-Newman in the top of the seventh was too much for the Mountain Lions to come back from in the bottom of the inning as they fell 8-5.

CU started the scoring in the third inning as a sacrifice fly and a fielder's choice RBI from freshman pitcher / utility Aarron Ward and Alyssa Morris began the scoring, junior outfielder Lauren Lewis punctated the inning with an RBI double.

After three runs by C-N over the next three inning got the Eagles to within 4-3, CU added a run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI base knock from sophomore catcher / designated hitter Nicole Neri that scored freshman pitcher Abby Beatty to extend the Mountain Lions' lead to 5-3. However, the Eagles came back to score five runs on four hits in the top of the seventh and sat Concord down in order in the seventh to hang on for a 8-5 lead.

Six different players had a hit for Concord with Lewis, Morris, Neri and Ward supplying the RBI for the Mountain Lions.

Junior pitcher / outfielder Sarah Herndon took the loss for CU as she allowed eight runs in seven innings while striking out four.

Game 2- Concord 10 - Carson-Newman 6
Finding itself in a 5-0 hole after the top of the first inning, CU outscored Carson-Newman 10-1 throughout the rest of the game to earn a split with the Eagles.

Concord answered C-N's first inning with two runs in the bottom of the frame as Neri singled up the middle to plate to score junior Alayna Furr and Morris who had back-to-back singles to start the inning for the Mountain Lions.

A run by CU in the second and two in the third would get CU to within 6-5 after the Eagles score in the top of the third. The two runs in the third came via a two-RBI single from sophomore outfielder Jessica Burney as her hit brought in sophomore third baseman Alycea Watson and Ward.

Five runs in the sixth from the Mountain Lions completed the comeback as Burney belted her first career home run, a two-run shot, Watson added a two-run double and Rose sent a home run flying over the right field fence to complete the rally.

Burney finished with a game-high four RBI while Neri and Watson each had two.

Additionally, Furr and Neri each bagged three-hit games.

Ward improved to 3-0 in the circle as she stymied C-N after the first inning giving up five earned runs for the game.
 
Concord will hit the road this weekend when they travel to the Salem Invitational on Saturday.  The Mountain Lions will begin their slate when they face Gannon at 10 a.m. Saturday.