North Gwinnett News

Covenant Softball traveled to Asbury, Kentucky to take on their first mid-week matchup of spring break. In the double-header, the Scots defeated the Eagles in a tight contest for game one, but then proceeded field to take the second game 7-3, securing the sweep.
 
Starting at 3:00 PM, the first game remained scoreless for the first three innings. 
 
With freshman pitcher Jenna Yeary on the mound, coming into the contest with two wins and a save under her belt, the Scots were able to defend the field well until they were able to build some offense momentum to start the scoring.
 
In the top of the fourth, a walk would allow for sophomore catcher Olivia Stefl to reach first. Second baseman Helena Nagy then laid down a perfect bunt to not only allow for Stefl to advance, but for Nagy to get on base as well. Though a fielder's choice to third base would take out a Scot, Jaycie Lyles would hit an RBI to drive in Nagy. 
 
With the Scots now up 1-0 on the Eagles, Yeary continued to take command on the mound, striking out two in a row and ending the inning on a popup, retiring the home team 3-up-3-down for the fourth inning in a row.
 
A scoreless fifth inning from either team would bring the Scots to the top of the sixth, where they were able to get another run on the board in order to advance their lead. After Jaycie Lyles drew a walk on her second at bat, it was an Alexa Gonzalez triple on two outs that would bring home Lyles and give Covenant a 2-0 advantage heading into the bottom of the inning.
 
The Eagles then were able to generate some offense of their own, and in the bottom of the sixth, caught up with the Scots to make it a 2-2 ball game.
 
Though putting runners in scoring position in the top of the seventh, Covenant could not find a way to drive in a run. As both teams came to an offensive halt, the contest would extend into extra innings.
 
Despite a bases-loaded with one out opportunity for the Scots in the eighth, it would take a ninth inning triple from Vanessa Davis to bring home Taylor Murdock for the game-winning run.
 
Jenna Yeary completed the nine-inning contest with a career-high 10 strikeouts, advancing her win-loss record on the year to 3-3. 
 
Heading into the second game of the doubleheader, the Scots would bring in another freshman pitcher, Mackenzie Kirby, to carry Covenant through game two.
 
It didn't take the Scots long to get comfortable in the batter's box in game two, immediately starting off the scoring in the top of the first.
 
Asbury answered back though, gaining two runs to end the inning, Scots: 1-Eagles: 2. However, that is where the Eagles would end their run until a final attempt to score in the last inning.
 
Covenant would gain traction in the third inning, scoring four more runs to go up on Asbury 5-2. Lauren Kay, Alexa Gonzalez, Taylor Murdock, and Makenna Dance were the runners to score for the Scots.
 
The score would remain 5-2 until the sixth inning, where Covenant would earn their final two runs in the 7-3 contest. Freshman Lakyn Hacker hit her first career homerun to drive in Nagy for a 2-run homer to insure the Scots' lead.
 
The Scots were up in the bottom of the seventh with two quick outs on the Eagles, but Asbury would not quit. With a two-out rally, the Eagles would bring in one more run before Covenant could secure the third and final out to notch their second win of the day. 
 
In the contest, Murdock, Dance, and Nagy all snagged a double, third baseman Lauren Kay hit a triple, and freshman Lakyn Hacker hit the only homerun recorded on the day. 
 
Freshman pitcher for the Scots, Mackenzie Kirby, pitched a complete game earning the win, advancing her win-loss record to 2-1 on the season. 

Original source can be found here.