Due West, SC – The Flying Fleet bounced back after dropping the first game of the doubleheader 5 to 3 to win the second game 2 to 1 against the Eagles of Carson-Newman College. The Flying Fleet are now 4-7 on the season.
In the first game, the Fleet committed three fielding errors that led to five unearned runs. After surrendering a run in the second inning, the Fleet took the lead in the bottom of the third inning by scoring two runs. Freshman Jordan Suther singled to lead off the inning, stole second base and scored on senior Kayla Vinson’s RBI single. Vinson would later score on Bailey Thorton’s RBI single. Senior pitcher Lauren Gunter cruised through the first five innings but got herself into trouble in the sixth by walking two and hitting another batter with just one out. She got the next two batters to pop up to end the threat. The Fleet pitching and defense unraveled in the top of the seventh. Carson-Newman got their first two batters on base and tied the game at 2 a piece on a pass ball on strike three. The Flying Fleet got the next two batters out. After a walk to the load the bases, Eagle catcher Bri Shoemake lined a double into left field to clear the bases and take a 5 to 2 lead. The Fleet’s rally in the bottom of the seventh fell short. Junior second baseman Lindsey LaPrad doubled into the left-center gap scoring Kelly Davis cutting the Carson-Newman lead to 5 to 3 but failed to score again.
Ashley Boyd got the win pitching 7 innings, giving up 3 runs (2 earned), striking out 6 while walking just one. Leigh Anne Shelley (0-1) picked up the loss in relief of Lauren Gunter. Lauren Gunter pitched 6 innings for the Fleet, allowing only three hits, 1 unearned while striking out six and walking four.
In the second game, Erskine got a fine pitching performance from freshman Heather Richey while her battery-mate Larissa Shannon hit a two-run home run to give the Fleet the 2 to 1 victory. Freshman Heather Richey (1-1) got the win, scattering 6 hits, giving up one unearned run, striking out four and walking three. In the bottom of the second, catcher Larissa Shannon hit a towering shot over the center field fence. Larissa Shannon also had two singles and went 3 for 3 in the game.
The Fleet are on the road to play Augusta State University on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
