FHU Lady Lions start NFCA Classic with two shutout wins

Competing in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic, the No. 20 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions took the first two games of the five-game weekend. First, the Lady Lions topped the No. 18 College of Coastal Georgia Seahawks before defeating the (RV) Indiana University Southeast Grenadiers 5-0.
Game One
CCG – 0/FHU – 3
Both the Lady Lions (3-4) and the Grenadiers went without hits in the first inning before Kiersten Mesler broke the ice with a single through the left side to lead off the bottom of the third inning. Myleah Hardy followed with a single of her own before Grayson Mayo’s single drove in the first run of the game. Natalie Gilmore would tag a double into left field to plate the second run and give FHU a 2-0 lead with a four-hit third inning.
FHU would tack on another run in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Coastal Georgia (6-1) pitching giving up a hit batsman and a back-to-back walks. Alivia Eggleston was then able to lift a sacrifice fly to score the final run of the 3-0 victory.
In her first appearance of the season, Brittany Adair (1-0) picked up the victory, striking out four in as many innings of work without allowing a single hit. Chloe Winters shut the door with her second save of the year, striking out two in a three-inning outing.
The Lady Lions shared the love with six different batters recording hits and three driving in three different runs.
Game Two
FHU – 5/IUSE – 0
Freed-Hardeman (4-4) took advantage of back-to-back walks to start the contest before Molli Deere legged out an infield single to load the bases. Chloe Carter was able to drive in the first run of the game with a groundout bringing home Karli Quillin.
Brinley Cousar was able to reach thanks to a fielding error by the Grenadiers (0-2) in the top of the second inning. A second error planted Lady Lions on first and second before Myleah Hardy’s sacrifice moved both runners into scoring position. Keirsten Perry’s groundout drove in FHU’s second run before Karli Quillin was hit by a pitch. Natalie Gilmore would then lace a double to left field to drive in a pair of runs and give FHU a 4-0 edge.
FHU then waited until the top of the seventh inning to plate their final run thanks to a one-out triple by Gilmore. A squeeze bunt from Brooklyn Jimmerson drove Gilmore home to set the final score at 5-0.
Kylee Brown (2-2) went the distance in the circle where she struck out five in a two-hit shutout.
Natalie Gilmore had a pair of extra-base hits to help her to a two-RBI afternoon. Molli Deere also had a pair of base hits in the victory.