For immediate release – 2/20/2016 - #298
Hornet Softball Opens 2016 Season with DH Sweep of Methodist

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Lynchburg College softball team received strong pitching performances in both ends of a non-conference doubleheader Saturday against visiting Methodist University, winning both contests 3-2 and 4-0. The non-conference twin-bill was the 2016 season opener for LC.

The opener was scoreless through three innings, but Methodist plated a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Allyson Aycock and Emily Hester each had RBI base-hits in the frame. LC countered with two of its own in the bottom of the fifth. Junior Kayla St. John drilled a solo home run to left field, and junior Lauren Smith singled to score senior Nicole Riley and tie the game. Riley doubled down the left-field line to score Leslie Bourgeois for what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Sophomore Conner English worked all seven innings in the circle to earn the win, allowing just one earned run, four hits and one walk while striking out six Monarchs. Heather Williams had two hits for Methodist (0-2).

Sophomore Kristen Copley dominated the nightcap for the Hornets, giving up only one hit and one walk in her seven frames with four strikeouts. The Hornets opened the scoring early, plating two runs in the first on back-to-back home runs from senior Danielle Powell and freshman Mackenzie Chitwood. Sophomore Skylar Dickens sent home another run in the second inning with an RBI double, and St. John doubled in the fourth to bring home another insurance run.

The Hornets (2-0) return home next weekend for another non-conference doubleheader against Christopher Newport University at noon.

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