Skyhawks Split with #24 UT Southern
WEST POINT, Ga. – For the first time since April 7, 2022, against Tennessee Wesleyan, the Point University Skyhawks grinded out a win against a nationally ranked opponent on Saturday afternoon, taking game one of the doubleheader 3-2 against the University of Tennessee Southern Firehawks and dropping the second matchup 9-0.
Game One:
Point broke a tie with two runs in the sixth inning and held on in the seventh to beat Tennessee Southern 3-2.
The Skyhawks grabbed the lead early, scoring in the first when MaKenzie Gilliland reached on a fielder's choice that brought in Alexa McCoy for a 1-0 edge. Tennessee Southern answered in the fourth, when Kurstin Warrick lined an RBI double to left field to score Alaina Grace King and even the game at 1-1.
In the sixth inning, when it mattered the most, Avery Lee tripled to center and later scored as Point pieced together a two-run inning to move in front 3-1. Gilliland delivered again with an RBI sacrifice fly, and Sarah Hinely also drove in a run as the Skyhawks finally created separation in a game that had stayed tight through the middle innings.
Point's hit total came out to six, with each one making an impact. Lee went 1-for-2 with a triple and a run scored, while Hinely had a hit, an RBI and a walk in two at-bats. Gilliland did not record a hit, but she produced two RBIs and was involved in both the opening run and the go-ahead push in the sixth.
In the circle, Point worked through traffic all afternoon. Chloe Mitcham went 5.2 innings as the starter, but it was Alyssa Burrows getting the win on a pair of strikeouts in the final 1.1 of defensive work.
Game Two:
The middle innings looked like a carbon copy of the first game, but Tennessee Southern flipped the script. The Firehawks opened the scoring with a run in the fourth inning off Mikayla McCain's home run before posting a five-spot in the fifth. Alaina Grace King lined a two-run single to center to stretch the margin to 3-0. McCain followed with an RBI single, and Tennessee Southern continued the inning with run-scoring hits from Marie Bodily and Carley Cook, building the advantage to 6-0.
Emory Hall hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, and Hannah Lindsey capped the scoring in the seventh with a two-run double that made it 9-0.
Point could only scrape across one hit, coming from MaKenzie Gilliland. Chelsey Hogsed and Aubryn Sward also got on board but could not be extended on the bases. Alyssa Burrows took the loss as the starting pitcher. After tossing 4.1 innings, Raley Thorn and Kendall Holbrook followed her in the circle.
The Skyhawks will kick off the new week on Tuesday, March 31 with another home doubleheader, this time squaring off with Paine College. The start times are 3:00 and 5:00pm at West Point Park.
