Box Score
Bristol, Tenn. The King University Softball team returned to the diamond on Wednesday afternoon and delivered a commanding sweep over Lees-McRae, taking Game One 9–1 and Game Two 10–2. The Tornado offense exploded early and often, while strong pitching performances from Kaylee Meeks and Sophia Waters secured King's second straight doubleheader sweep.
Game One:
King wasted no time setting the tone, erupting for five runs in the first inning. The scoring started when Aubrey King singled to bring home Giana Winge, followed by a two-RBI double from Aviah Bunsic. Katie Ryan added another RBI double, and a wild pitch allowed her to score, giving King a 5–0 lead after one.
The Tornado added two more in the fourth inning, highlighted by an RBI single from Winge and another run-scoring hit from Yuleesa Kennedy to extend the lead to 7–0.
Lees-McRae scratched across an unearned run in the sixth, but King answered immediately. A sacrifice bunt from Kaylie Hughes brought home Alena Demakas, and Savana Luper singled up the middle to score Winge, sealing the 9–1 victory.
On the mound, Kaylee Meeks was dominant once again, throwing a complete six-inning game with four strikeouts, allowing just two hits and no earned runs.
Offensive leaders:
- Winge: 3 runs, 3 hits, 1 RBI
- Ryan: 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 RBI
- Bunsic: 2 RBIs, 1 hit, 1 run
- Luper: 2 hits, 1 RBI
- Kennedy: 1 hit, 1 RBI, 2 walks
Winge, Bunsic, and Ryan all recorded doubles in the win.
Game Two:
Looking for the sweep, King kept the momentum rolling. After a scoreless first inning, Katie Ryan put King on the board in the second with a bunt single that scored Bunsic.
The Tornado broke the game open in the fourth inning. Kaylie Hughes ripped a two-RBI double to right field, scoring Winge and Imari Golden, and Kennedy followed with a triple to center to make it 4–0.
King added another run in the fifth on an RBI single from Golden, pushing the lead to 5–0.
Lees-McRae attempted a comeback in the sixth with two runs, including a triple from Maycee Tickle, but King responded with a massive five-run inning to put the game away. Kennedy doubled home Hughes, Bunsic drove in another run on a fielder's choice, Ryan added an RBI double, and Golden capped the scoring with a two-RBI single to left.
Pitching duties were handled by Sophia Waters, who earned the win with five shutout innings, allowing only two hits and striking out three. Makayla Ramsey closed the final inning.
Offensive leaders:
- Golden: 4 hits, 3 RBIs, 1 run
- Hughes: 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 2 runs
- Kennedy: 2 hits, 2 RBIs, triple & double
- Ryan: 2 hits, 2 RBIs
- Bunsic: 2 hits, 3 runs, 1 RBI
King totaled 15 hits in the 10–2 victory.
Up Next:
The Tornado will hit the road for a doubleheader at Ferrum College on Saturday, March 14, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
