LEBANON, Tenn. - Callum Maskill becomes the fifth head coach in Lindsey Wilson softball history to win 100 games in their career. The milestone was met on Saturday at Billy Dee Ross Stadium as the 11th-ranked Blue Raiders split a doubleheader with Cumberland (Tenn.).
The homestanding Phoenix got the better of a pitchers' duel in game one but could not overcome a fast start by Lindsey Wilson in game two.
Sam Hartman and
Natalie Wandrie produced two hits, apiece, while
Kaiden Rodgers drove in a team-high two RBIs.
Game One: No. 11 Lindsey Wilson 1, Cumberland (Tenn.) 2
Two runs plated by Cumberland in the bottom of the third inning proved to be the difference.
The Blue Raiders attempt at a last-minute rally in the seventh started on a one-out single up the middle by Wandrie. Two at-bats and one out later,
Hannah Carter reached on an infield miscue at first base. The error opened a lane for Wandrie to score, but the Cumberland defense stayed with the play and caught Carter running for second base to end the game.
Kayden Murray turned in another solid effort from the circle as she recorded 11 strikeouts, walked one, and allowed two earned runs on five hits. She notched multiple strikeouts in four different innings and finished the weekend with 27, in all, over 13 innings pitched.
Game Two: No. 11 Lindsey Wilson 5, Cumberland (Tenn.) 0
Hallie Roberts continued to shine as of late. The sophomore carded her fourth complete-game shutout in her last six starts, holding the Phoenix to four hits while taking out five on strikes.
Offensively, the Blue Raiders got to work early and loaded the bases with no outs in the top leg of the first frame. Back-to-back infield hits by
Marissa Frolich and
Emerson McKinnis each brought home a run, and
Nora Epley capped the scoring with a sacrifice flyout to push Lindsey Wilson ahead 3-0.
Behind the pitching performance of Roberts, plus stellar defense from the likes of Wandrie, Hartman, and
Atavya Fowler in the outfield, who combined for nine putouts, the Blue Raiders' lead stayed true.
In the seventh inning, Rodgers got a clean look at a 2-1 pitch and clubbed her fourth home run of the season to left center field, scoring Fowler along with it to give Lindsey Wilson a handful on the board.
The Blue Raiders (31-5, 9-3 Mid-South) return home to host Ohio Christian at 2 and 4 p.m. CT on Tuesday, April 14.
