Hefner rakes eight RBI in game one of C-N doubleheader sweep of Lees-McRae

Carson-Newman (10-2) took two run rule wins from Lees-McRae (0-12) Wednesday afternoon at the Lady Eagle Softball Complex 12-2 in five innings in game one before winning in the night cap 8-0, also in five innings.

Brittany Hefner (Talbot, Tenn.) hammered away in the first game, she collected her fourth home run, fourth triple and eighth double in a 3-for-3 day at the plate. Hefner was a single shy of the cycle and collected eight RBI.

Game one: C-N 12, Lees-McRae 2 (fiving innings)

Carson-Newman used two big innings in game one to seize the run rule win. The Eagles plated five runs in the second and fifth innings to end the contest early.

In the second, after Bobcat pitcher Hollie Crickerberger walked the bases load, Hayley Burnette (Rossville, Ga.) singled through the right side to bring home a run. Then Hefner cleared the bases with a three-RBI triple over the head of the centerfielder to bring home Braleigh Angel (Hixson, Tenn.), Elayna Siebert (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Cassie Elliot (Johnson City, Tenn.).

Bri Shoemake (Ooltewah, Tenn.) would dribble one to second to plate Hefner from third to round out the scoring for the inning.

After LMC scored twice in the top half of the fifth, the Eagles ended the contest in emphatic fashion. Needing three runs to end the game by the mercy rule, Kelli Hensley (Knoxville, Tenn.) ripped a triple to left. Following a Caitlyn Lance walk, Hefner knocked one off the left field foul pole to end the game with a three-run dinger.

Kaitie Sims (Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.) went the distance to move to 6-0 to start the season.

Game two: C-N 8, Lees-McRae 0 (five innings)

The Eagles started game two much like they ended game one, with offensive fireworks. Vickee Kazee-Hollifield’s bunch scored four runs in the opening frame. With the bases juiced, Bobcat pitcher Kristen Oakes hit Burnette to bring in a run.

An Elliot single blasted through the heart of the infield would score two before Jessica Morgan (Ooltewah, Tenn.) came around to score on a wild pitch.

Cassie Lyons (Knoxville, Tenn.) had a no hitter working into the fifth before Kierstie Moon and Hanna Huckabee singled on a bunt and a looper down the right field line. However, with a runner in scoring position, Lyons struck out Amanda Decker to end the day early.

Lyons bumps her record to 4-2 for the year.

C-N concludes a 12-game homestand Saturday against Concord. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Coverage is available on the Coca-Cola Eagle Sports Network and online at cneagles.com.

Source: Adam Cavalier Director of Athletic Communications Carson-Newman University