COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Lindsey Wilson softball program earned its 1,000th all-time victory on Saturday, earning two walk-off triumphs at the NFCA-NAIA Leadoff Classic.
Hannah Carter led the Blue Raider offense with five hits, while
Sam Hartman and
Nora Epley each produced three RBIs
Game One: Lindsey Wilson 6, Truett-McConnell (Ga.) 5 (8 Innings)
For the second consecutive game, Lindsey Wilson needed extra innings to seal a win.
Things started quickly for the Blue Raiders, as
Nora Epley and
Emerson McKinnis led off the bottom of the first inning with a walk and hit-by-pitch. Just when it seemed the Bears' were recovering after back-to-back strikeouts,
Aubrey Miller singled to the grass to score Epley.
Hartman stepped up next and batted a two-run single to center field, then advanced to second base off the bat of Carter.
Summer Ray provided the final blow of the Blue Raiders' initial barrage as she dropped a base-hit into right field that was misplayed the Truett-McConnell outfielder. The error allowed both Hartman and Carter to score with ease, pushing Lindsey Wilson ahead 5-0.
The Bears climbed back into the game over the fourth and fifth innings, tying the score at 5-5.
After neither side found a breakthrough in the sixth or seventh innings, it came down to the eighth frame to decide a winner.
Kayden Murray and the Blue Raider defense retired the Bears in order in the top of the inning, setting up the bats with a chance to clinch.
Ray laid down an effective bunt to move the tie-breaking run, Carter, up to third base, then
Atavya Fowler skied a deep fly ball to left field to send Carter home.
The extra-inning decision gave the Blue Raider softball program its 1,000th win all-time.
Murray collected her second complete-game win of the weekend after pitching eight innings, striking out six, and allowing three earned runs on seven hits.
Game Two: Lindsey Wilson 8, Brenau (Ga.) 7
The Blue Raiders pulled off an unlikely, six-run, come-from-behind victory against the Tigers, scoring six runs on seven hits in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Trailing 7-2, Lindsey Wilson went right to work as McKinnis and
Kaiden Rodgers hit respective singles to lead things off. After a walk to
Natalie Wandrie, Hartman ripped a hard-hit single to the short side to plate McKinnis. The next at-bat, Carter found a hole on the left side of the infield and sent the ball to the grass. Both Rodgers and Wandrie scored on the play to bring the winning run to the plate. Miller earned a walk to reload the bases, and Fowler kept the rally alive on a single to left field.
A subsequent ball hit to left field by Epley tied the game at 7-7, and McKinnis finished it off on a flare to shallow center field.
The comeback is Lindsey Wilson's first of at least four runs since March 16, 2023. It also secured a win for relief pitcher
Hallie Roberts who dealt seven innings, retired seven on strikes and gave up two earned runs on nine hits.
Lindsey Wilson is now one of two remaining unbeaten teams in the Leadoff Classic. The other, Mobile (Ala.), is the Blue Raiders' final opponent at 8 a.m. CT on Sunday, March 1.
