WINGATE, N.C. — Carson-Newman sophomore pitcher Mary Shealy (Clinton, S.C.) delivered an RBI single to plate the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning, helping the number 22 Eagles take a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Mars Hill College in the winners' bracket final of the 2010 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference softball tournament.
Shealy hit the first pitch she saw to right field, scoring sophomore pinch-runner Ashlee Dillard (Roanoke, Va.) with the winning run for Carson-Newman (36-8 overall). Shealy also picked up the pitching win, improving her record to 15-4 overall on the season.
The Eagles will face the Mars Hill versus Lenoir-Rhyne winner in Sunday's 1 p.m. championship game. Mars Hill falls to 28-15 overall with the loss.
With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Eagle senior first baseman Sara Little (Calhoun, Ga.) walked. Junior utility player Ashley Boyd (Chattanooga, Tenn.) followed with a double to left center, moving Little to third. At this point, Dillard entered the game to run for Little. Shealy delivered with her first hit of the game to give the Eagles the victory.
Carson-Newman tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
With two outs, Little singled up the middle. Sophomore Kim Whaley (Maryville, Tenn.) reported to run for Little. Boyd singled through the left side to put runners on first and second. Eagle junior Amber Hewitt (Ringgold, Ga.) entered to run for Boyd. Shealy was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Mars Hill changed its battery at this point, as freshman reliever Taylor Morris (Weddington, N.C.) and junior catcher Jade Bullins (Danbury, N.C.) replaced senior right-hander Tiffany Farthing (Kure Beach, N.C.) and sophomore catcher Kendra Reeder (Duncan, S.C.), respectively. Carson-Newman junior third baseman Whitney Kee (Knoxville, Tenn.) reached on an error, scoring Whaley and Hewitt to tie the game at 4-4.
The Lions scored a single run in the top of the sixth inning to pad their advantage to 4-2. Senior outfielder Anna James (Bellevue, Wash.) singled to start the sixth stanza. MHC freshman shortstop Amanda McArthur (Charlotte, N.C.) followed with an RBI double to left field to score James.
Mars Hill built a 3-2 lead with three runs in the top of the fourth frame. Senior second baseman Rebekah Huff (Mars Hill, N.C.), senior outfielder Ashley Angell (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and junior first baseman Ashley Seawell (Asheboro, N.C.) started the inning with back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases. Lion sophomore outfielder Natalie Haithcox (Asheboro, N.C.) plated Mars Hill's first run with an RBI groundout to score Huff. James added an RBI single up the middle to score Angell and move Seawell to third base. James moved to second on a ground out. Morris followed with an RBI single to score Seawell. The rally ended when Carson- Newman junior center fielder Whitney Durham (Rossville, Ga.) threw out James at home for the third out.
Carson-Newman took the early 2-0 lead with two runs on two outs in the first inning. Shoemake earned a four-pitch walk. Little hit her team-best eighth home run of the season over the right-field fence to give the Eagles the early edge.
Boyd had three hits for Carson-Newman, including her ninth double of the season. Little was two-for-three with two RBI and a game-high 13 put outs. Huff, Angell and James had two hits each for Mars Hill. James was one of four Lions with one RBI in the loss.
In two stints, Shealy pitched 6 2/3 innings. She allowed four earned runs on nine hits. She struck out three and walked one. Boyd contributed 1 1/3 innings in the circle. She did not allow a hit or a run. Morris (2-3 overall) took the tough loss, giving up one run on two hits in 1 2/3 innings pitched. Farthing started the contest for the Lions, surrendering four runs (two earned) on five hits in 5 2/3 innings of work. She struck out five and walked one.
Carson-Newman College head coach Vickee Hollifield
Opening comments
"We try to stay cool and calm in every situation. We have been involved in many pressure-packed situations this year. We work hard all season long to deal with these situations."
On Carson-Newman pitchers Mary Shealy and Ashley Boyd
"We tell our pitchers to attack from the mound. Early in the game, we were allowing Mars Hill to attack us (from the batter's box). Bringing Mary back when we did was the best move for us. Mary and Ashley compliment each other so well."
Carson-Newman senior shortstop Jessie Howard (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Opening comments
"We keep playing hard...we know the game is not over until it is over. We are hitting with confidence right now. If one player is not hitting, we know the next player will pick up her. We believe in each other."
Regarding Carson-Newman's pitching combo of Shealy and Boyd
"We have two very athletic pitchers. They are a huge asset to our team. They work well together, both in practice and in the games."
Regarding championship Sunday
"People are saying our team is a tournament team...I hope this is true. On Sunday, we are going to play with everything we have. It would be a great way to end my senior year with another title."
