PARAGOULD, Ark. – Tennessee Southern continued its historic start Thursday afternoon, sweeping Crowley's Ridge in a road twin bill at Pioneer Park. With the pair of victories, the Firehawks improved to 10-0 and continue closing in on the best start in program history.
Game One – Tennessee Southern 17, Crowley's Ridge 6
UT Southern struck immediately in the opener, plating five runs in the top of the first inning. Lauren Pettie worked a walk before Mikayla McCain singled to left. Carley Cook followed with a two-run double to left center to open the scoring. After Alaina Grace King drew a walk, Kurstin Warrick ripped a two-run single to left and later stole third. Hannah Lindsey capped the inning with an RBI single to make it 5-0.
Crowley's Ridge answered in the second and third, but the Firehawks kept their foot on the gas. In the third, King singled and later scored, while Warrick doubled down the line and Lindsey added an RBI knock. Emory Hall singled home a run as UT Southern pushed the lead to 8-3.
Cook extended the advantage in the fourth with a solo home run to left center. Warrick stayed hot with another RBI single, and Hall added a groundout to bring home a run.
The Firehawks broke the game open in the fifth with six runs. Pettie was hit by a pitch to start the frame, McCain singled, and King lifted a sacrifice fly to score a run. Warrick delivered again with a two-RBI single, Hall doubled to left center to drive in another, and Haley McDaniel capped the scoring with a two-run single to left center.
Warrick finished a perfect 4-for-4 with five RBIs and three runs scored. Cook went 2-for-3 with a double, home run, and three RBIs. Hall collected two hits, including a double, and drove in three. McCain added three hits and scored twice, while King tallied two hits, three runs scored, and an RBI. Lindsey recorded a hit and RBI.
In the circle, Stella Gilbreath earned the win, striking out six over three innings, and Ava Harris closed the final two innings.
Game Two – Tennessee Southern 15, Crowley's Ridge 2
The Firehawks once again wasted no time, scoring four runs in the first inning. Haley McDaniel reached on a bunt single, Ella Singletary followed with another bunt knock, and after McCain walked to load the bases, Cook lifted a sacrifice fly to score the first run. King then doubled down the left-field line, driving in two, and Lindsey added an RBI single to make it 4-0.
UT Southern poured on four more runs in the second. Singletary doubled down the line to score McDaniel, McCain doubled to bring home Singletary, and Lindsey added a two-RBI double to stretch the margin to 8-0.
After a scoreless third, the Firehawks struck again in the fourth. King singled home a run, Alyssa Mosley added an RBI single, and McDaniel reached on an error that allowed two more runs to score.
In the fifth, Singletary singled and Brooke Kemp doubled to put two aboard before Evi Edwards launched a three-run home run to left, extending the lead to 15-1.
Singletary led the way offensively, going 3-for-4 with a double, RBI, three runs scored, and a stolen base. King finished 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Lindsey went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Edwards added a home run and three RBIs, while Kemp doubled and scored. McCain reached base and drove in a run, and Mosley recorded a hit and RBI.
In the circle, Jayci Boozer (1-0) earned the win in relief. Singletary opened the game with two scoreless innings, and Shelby Vars worked the final frame to secure the victory.
Tennessee Southern returns to action tomorrow, February 28, traveling to Williams Baptist for another road twin bill as the Firehawks look to continue their unbeaten run.
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