MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Tennessee Southern opened Southern States Athletic Conference play in strong fashion Friday afternoon, sweeping a road doubleheader at Faulkner behind explosive offense and dominant pitching.
Tennessee Southern 4, Faulkner 1
The Firehawks struck early in the opener, capitalizing on aggressive baserunning in the first inning. Ella Singletary worked a walk and advanced with Alaina Grace King's single before both runners came around to score on a series of wild pitches to give UT Southern a quick 2-0 advantage.
Faulkner answered with a run in the bottom half, but the Firehawks quickly regained control in the second. Mikayla McCain led off with a double to left, and after Hannah Lindsey moved her to third with a sacrifice bunt, Haley McDaniel singled up the middle to plate McCain and push the lead to 3-1.
UT Southern added another run in the third when Evi Edwards singled and later scored on McCain's second double of the game to stretch the advantage to 4-1.
McCain finished with two doubles and an RBI, while Edwards recorded two hits. McDaniel added a hit and an RBI, and King contributed a hit at the top of the order. Emory Hall also collected a base hit.
In the circle, Stella Gilbreath was sharp, tossing a complete game while allowing just one run and five hits.
Tennessee Southern 7, Faulkner 0
The Firehawks carried their momentum into the nightcap and jumped on the board in the first inning. Haley McDaniel singled and later scored when Mikayla McCain reached on a fielder's choice to give UT Southern the early lead.
UT Southern erupted in the second inning to seize control. Marie Bodily opened the rally with a single before Emory Hall drove her in with an RBI double to left center. McDaniel followed with a walk, and Lauren Pettie singled to load the bases. Alaina Grace King then delivered a two-RBI double to right center before Evi Edwards blasted a two-run home run to left center, pushing the lead to 6-0.
The Firehawks added one more in the third when Hall reached and McDaniel lined a double down the left-field line to bring her home.
McDaniel led the offense with a 4-for-4 performance, adding two runs scored and an RBI. Edwards finished with two hits, including a home run, and two RBIs. Pettie collected two hits, while Hall added a double, a hit, and an RBI. King contributed a double and two RBIs, and Bodily chipped in a hit.
In the circle, Ella Singletary earned the win after tossing six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while striking out five. Jayci Boozer worked the final inning to complete the shutout.
Tennessee Southern returns to action Wednesday, March 18, hosting Oakwood.
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