Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg softball team swept Methodist 10-1 (five innings), and 6-2 in the season opener on Moon Field Saturday afternoon.
Lynchburg's winning pitchers were Kailey Dorcsis and Amala Clawson, and Emily Charlton earned a save in Game 2. Dorcsis was dealing in Game 1 and only allowed two hits, one run, and also fanned three. Bre Carter relieved Dorcsis in the fifth inning to secure the run-rule victory.
The Hornets jumped on top of the Monarchs 7-0 in the third inning of the first contest. Sarah Watts started the scoring with a sacrifice fly, Addison Walter hit an RBI single, Lexi Powell earned an RBI with a bases-loaded walk, then Abby Lockhart and Jessica Stickland combined to drive in four runs with a pair of doubles. Walter drove in another run with a single in the fifth, then Powell crushed her second career homer for two RBI.
In Game 2, Lynchburg got to Methodist early once more. Strickland continued her impressive debut at shortstop and in the box with an RBI single. Kaleigh Hackett joined the RBI-double party with one in the third inning, then two runs came in to score as Methodist threw the ball around the diamond after Watts reached on a fielder's choice. The Monarchs second baseman got the first out at home, but when the catcher threw to first base to try and double up Watts, Walter and Strickland came around to score. Charlton slammed the door shut with a five-out save after the merry-go-round in the top of the fifth.
The Hornets swept the Monarchs for the first time in two seasons. Lynchburg (2-0) has next weekend off before hosting Washington (Md.) back on Moon Field on Saturday, March 2.
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--LYN--
