Pioneers Bash Bearcats

Pioneers Bash Bearcats-Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 3-17-23

CRC Softball increased their win streak to 7 games as they shut out Rust College in a doubleheader sweep yesterday in Holly Springs, MS. 

Game One:

Crowley's Ridge- 20

Rust College- 0

Holly Springs, MS- The Lady Pioneers took no time getting things going on the day as they posted 20 runs in the first matchup, run-ruling Rust after just 5 innings of play. The Pioneers scored those 20 runs by pounding out 18 hits. 5 Pioneers produced a multi-hit game, Piper Farmer, Hannah Burk, Brooklyn Melson, Jocelyn Villarreal, Elizabeth Crosby, and Natalie Brightwell. Farmer led the charge going a perfect 3-3 at the plate. Brightwell, a freshman from Melbourne, Ark., wrapped up the offensive performance in game one by recording her first collegiate home run with a grand slam blast in the 5th inning.  Shelby Elrod and Abby Ewing tag teamed game one from the pitcher's circle with the Lady Pioneers only giving up 3 hits. Elrod got the start and went three innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 7 before Ewing came into relief tossing 2 innings and allowing one hit while striking out two. 

Leaders: Hitting

Farmer (3-3) (2B), Brightwell (2-2)(HR)(4RBI)

Pitchers:

Elrod: 3.0 inns., 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO

Ewing: 2.0 inns. 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO

Game Two:

Crowley's Ridge- 12

Rust College- 0

Holly Springs, MS-  CRC took no slack off in game two as they rocketed a second wave of 18 hits in the contest. The Pioneers only pushed 12 runners across the plate this game, but it would still be plenty enough to end the game early in the 5th inning, via run rule, completing the two-game shutout victory on the day. Bailey Cupples led the Pioneers at the plate going 4-4 including crushing the 2nd Pioneer grand slam of the day in the second inning giving CRC the lead 4-0. Natalie Brightwell repeated her game one scheme as she hammered her second home run of the day in the 5th inning once more, this one being a three-run shot giving the Pioneers the 12-0 final score.  Halea Wells got the start, but only tossed one inning, striking out two before Bailee Duhme relieved her in her college debut. Duhme whirled 2 innings giving up three hits, with no runs before having herself relieved by Brightwell to pitch the last two innings closing the game. 

Leaders; Hitting

Three Pioneers had a multi-hit game.

Cupples(4-4)(HR)(5RBI), Dru Bryant (2-3)(RBI), Villarreal (2-4) (2R)

Pitching:

Wells: 1.0 inns., 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO

Duhme: 2.0 inns., 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO

Brightwell: 2.0 inns., 1 H, 0R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO