RALEIGH, N.C. -- The University of Lynchburg softball team split its four games of the Triangle Classic on Saturday and Sunday, defeating Piedmont University, 8–0 and falling to Greensboro College, 7–3, then dropping to Tufts, 8-7 (9), and closing out with a 7-3 win over Meredith.

Game 1: Lynchburg 8, Piedmont 0

Lynchburg used timely hitting and a dominant pitching performance from Kate Charlton to secure an 8–0 victory over Piedmont in the opener.

The Hornets broke through in the fourth inning when Sarah Watts launched a solo home run to center field to put Lynchburg ahead 1–0.

Lynchburg added to the lead in the sixth as Watts struck again, blasting a three-run homer that brought home Alex Love and Layla Lietzan to extend the advantage to 4–0.

The Hornets put the game out of reach in the seventh inning. Kalli Monahan delivered a grand slam to highlight a four-run frame that also saw runs scored by Lietzan, McKenzie Kolesar, and Hailey Schildt.

Charlton was excellent in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just two hits and striking out two over seven innings.

Game 2: Greensboro 7, Lynchburg 3

In the second game of the day, Greensboro used a big fourth inning to pull away for a 7–3 win over the Hornets.

Lynchburg struck first in the opening inning when Alyssa Talayumptewa drove in Alex Love with a sacrifice fly.

Greensboro answered in the second inning before breaking the game open in the fourth. The Pride scored five runs in the frame, capitalizing on a pair of Lynchburg errors, along with two base hits, to build a 6–1 lead.

The Hornets attempted to chip away late. Abby Lockhart drove in a run in the fourth, and Helen Maddux added an RBI single in the seventh to plate Sarah Watts, but Lynchburg could not close the gap.

Watts paced Lynchburg offensively with three hits, while Love and Lockhart each added two of their own. Altogether, the Hornets totaled 10 base hits in the second game of the day.

Chase Hartford started in the circle for the Hornets, notching four strikeouts, while allowing seven walks, four hits, and six runs over five innings. Charlton worked the final two innings in relief.

Game 3: Tufts 8, Lynchburg 7

Lynchburg struck first in the opening inning when Watts launched a two-run homer to left field, scoring Alyssa Talayumptewa and giving the Hornets an early 2–0 lead.

Tufts answered in the second inning with a two-run double and later took a 4–2 advantage in the fourth. Lynchburg chipped away in the same inning when Abby Lockhart reached on a throwing error that allowed Alex Love to score.

The Hornets continued to battle back. In the seventh inning, Watts delivered again with an RBI single to bring home Talayumptewa, and a sacrifice fly from Kalli Monahan tied the game at 5–5.

The teams traded runs late. Lynchburg evened the score again in the eighth when Alex Love reached on a fielder's choice that plated Kalli Monahan. After Tufts moved ahead in the top of the ninth, the Hornets had the tying run on base but could not complete the comeback.

Watts finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs and a home run, while Love went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. 

Game 4: Lynchburg 7, Meredith 3

The Hornets responded in game two with an offensive outburst and strong pitching to secure a 7–3 victory.

Lynchburg opened the scoring in the first inning when Schildt singled up the middle to drive in Watts. The Hornets added another run in the second as Zoe Elliott advanced on a passed ball and later scored on an error.

The big swing came in the fourth inning when Orange connected on a three-run homer to left field, scoring Elliott and Georgia Thompson to push the Lynchburg lead to 5–0.

Thompson added to the lead in the fifth inning with an RBI triple that scored Schildt, and Alex Love followed with an RBI single to make it 7–1.

Meredith attempted a late rally with two runs in the sixth, but Lynchburg pitching held firm the rest of the way.

Orange finished 1-for-2 with three RBIs and a run scored, while Love went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Schildt also contributed two hits and an RBI, and Thompson added two hits, including her RBI triple.

Chase Hartford earned the win in the circle, allowing just one run over four innings with two strikeouts. Sydney Bryant closed the game with three innings of relief.

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--LYN--