PULASKI, Tenn. – Tennessee Southern continued its strong start to the season Tuesday afternoon, sweeping Stillman in a home doubleheader at Royce Hughes Field behind explosive offense and steady pitching performances.
Game One – Tennessee Southern 12, Stillman 1
UT Southern wasted little time jumping on the scoreboard in the opener. Haley McDaniel set the tone in the first inning with a double down the left-field line and later scored on a groundout by Mikayla McCain to give the Firehawks an early lead.
The Firehawks added to the advantage in the second inning as Alaina Grace King singled and later scored during a two-run frame highlighted by McDaniel's two-RBI single to left. UT Southern continued to apply pressure in the third, stringing together hits from Carley Cook, Marie Bodily, and Kurstin Warrick, with Warrick and Hannah Lindsey each driving in runs to push the lead to 6–0.
UT Southern broke the game open in the fourth inning, plating six runs. Warrick was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in a run before Lindsey delivered an RBI single. Emma Hall followed with a sacrifice fly, and McDaniel capped the inning with a three-run inside-the-park home run to extend the Firehawks' lead to 12–0.
McDaniel finished the game a perfect 4-for-4 with six RBIs and a double, while Warrick went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Lindsey added two hits and two RBIs, and King chipped in two hits and scored twice.
In the circle, Stella Gilbreath earned the win, tossing four hitless innings with three strikeouts before Ava Harris closed out the game.
Game Two – Tennessee Southern 15, Stillman 0 (5 innings)
The Firehawks carried their momentum into game two, striking early and often. In the first inning, McDaniel walked and stole second before Lauren Pettie laid down a bunt single. McCain drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly, and King followed with an RBI single to make it 2–0.
UT Southern erupted for five runs in the second inning. McDaniel drove in a run with a single before swiping second and later scoring on a passed ball. McCain followed with a two-RBI single, and King added another RBI hit to push the lead to 7–0.
The third inning proved decisive as the Firehawks plated five more runs. Lindsey doubled to start the frame before McDaniel and McCain delivered RBI singles. King capped the inning with a three-run home run to left, stretching the lead to 12–0.
UT Southern added three more runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Alyssa Mosley and an RBI hit by Gilbreath. The Firehawks totaled 15 hits in the contest, with King going 3-for-4 with five RBIs and a home run. McCain added four RBIs, while McDaniel scored four times and stole three bases.
Ella Singletary picked up the win, allowing just three hits over three innings while striking out four. Jayci Boozer followed with two scoreless innings to close out the run-rule victory.
Tennessee Southern returns to action with its next twin bill on Saturday, February 21, hosting Cumberland at Royce Hughes Field.
FOLLOW THE FIREHAWKS
Stay up to date with all the latest action from UTS Athletics! Follow the Firehawks on social media:
Twitter: @utsathletics
Instagram: @utsouthernathletics
Facebook: @UT Southern Firehawks
Don't miss a moment — Go Firehawks!
