Softball | Tue, May 17, 2022 at 10:00 PM
Story Courtesy of Freed-Hardeman Sports Information
HENDERSON, Tenn. – After a low-scoring opening day of the 2022 NAIA Softball World Series Henderson Regional, the Freed-Hardeman University offenses started to heat up to win back-to-back games over Madonna (Mich.) University 1-0 and Friends 6-1 to stave off elimination and earn their place in the final day’s action.
Game One
Madonna – 0
Freed-Hardeman – 1
A pitcher’s duel highlighted the second game of the day with Freed-Hardeman (49-4) claiming victory 1-0. Hits came at a premium for both teams, with both FHU and Madonna (31-9) combining for five hits.
In the circle for the Lady Lions, Brittany Adair (16-0) was untouchable the first two innings, sitting down the side on strikes. Kennedy Harris led off the bottom of the first with a double but was unable to advance after Maeson Schlaud settled down to retire the next three batters in order.
The top of the third began fruitfully for the Crusaders with Chylece Cluck singling to left field before Emily Pawelski’s bunt rolled past the outstretched glove of Adair for an infield hit. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners up 60 feet, but a line-drive double play ended the threat.
After Allie Mitchell drew a walk, it was Catherine Crabb’s RBI double with two outs that proved to be the game-winner
Despite the loss, Schlaud allowed two hits and struck out five. The Crusaders had a difficult time figuring out Adair, who sat down 14 Madonna batters on strikes.
Game Two
Freed-Hardeman – 6
Friends – 1
The FHU Lady Lions (50-4) took vengeance on the Friends Falcons (31-21) after the opening round loss to cross the plate six times to advance to the regional final.
Freed-Hardeman plated lone runs in the first, second, and third innings before a two-run fourth put the game out of reach for the Falcons. Kennedy Harris led off the game with a high fly ball that floated above the first base line. The ball managed to find the dirt for a single and seeing that nobody was covering second base, Harris took off for second where she reach safely to beat the throw. With two outs, Cassie Harris shot a hit through the left side to plate Harris for the first run of the game.
Brittan Jarrell drew a one-out walk in the second inning, scoring later in the inning thanks to Harris’s RBI double. Caitlin Mitchell got into the action in style with a solo home run to put FHU on top 3-0.
An RBI single into left field from Harris turned into essentially a two-run double when a late throw from the Falcon left fielder sailed over the catcher’s head to allow an extra run to score and plant Harris on second to put FHU on top 5-0.
Friends finally cracked into the scoring column in the bottom of the fifth inning with S. Jackson found a hole in the outfield for a one-out single before V. Sigala rounded the bases for an RBI triple.
As if Harris’s three-hit day was not enough, the senior led off the sixth inning with a line drive that cleared the fence in right field to put FHU on top for good 6-1.
After striking out nine batters in the start, Brittany Adair was replaced by Chloe Winters (16-2) who earned the victory in relief with a hitless 2 2/3 innings. Laila Spracklin (19-9) went the distance for the Falcons, striking out four.
Jackson and Sigala’s fifth inning hits were the only two for Friends, while Harris paced the Lady Lions going a perfect 4-for-4.
Up Next
Columbia College and Freed-Hardeman will square off on Wednesday, May 18, with a trip to Columbus, Georgia on the line. Columbia needs to win the first game beginning at 2:00 p.m. CDT to punch their ticket, while FHU will look to force the if-necessary game scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
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