BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Panthers started their season off with back to back wins in their doubleheader against Huntingdon. Birmingham-Southern ended the first game in the fifth inning after run ruling the Hawks 8-0.
Game one: The Panthers started off hot in the first inning of the game, scoring half of their runs.
Kailey Walters brought in the first runs with a 2 RBI double down the left field line. With bases loaded and two outs,
Izzy Berkopec hit a double down the third base line to bring in two more runs. The Panthers kept their momentum going and kept the Hawks from scoring through the next two innings.
Birmingham-Southern was ready to keep it going with
Sam Hilyer, starting off the bottom of the third, with a single to center field and stealing second. An error from the Hawks put
Leah Wood at first and allowed her to advance to third, scoring Hilyer.
Cassidy Dickson had a sac-bunt that brought Wood home putting the Panthers up 6-0. That was it for the Panthers in the third, but their defensive effort kept it up in the top of the fourth, going three-up-three-down. Birmingham-Southern would go to score two more runs in the bottom of the fifth with RBI singles from
Alyssa Fowler and
Morgan McGuire, ending the game in a run rule over the Hawks.
Pitching decisions
WIN: Hailee Bryan (1-0)
LOSS: Crimson Wells (1-1)
Records
#5 Birmingham-Southern 1-0 Overall, Huntingdon 2-1 Overall
Game two: The Panthers were looking to capitalize off their run rule win and keep the power moving in their second game.
Cassidy Dickson started off the game striking out the Hawks first batter and forcing them to leave two on base to end the top of the first.
Morgan McGuire started the batting order for the Panthers and drew a walk, eventually stealing second base to put BSC in their first scoring position of this game.
Kailey Walters singled up the middle and brought in McGuire to get the first run on the board. A big triple from
Sam Hilyer into right field drove in Walters and
Lauren Cabiness grounded out, but brought Hilyer home to make it a three run inning for the Panthers.
The defensive effort from BSC was on their best game tonight, only allowing one hit in the next three innings. The Panthers ended the top of the fourth with a double play from short stop
Alyssa Fowler and first baseman
Kaylyn Chapman.
Cassidy Dickson started off the bottom of the fourth with a single.
Izzy Berkopec drew a walk and
Katie Wood singled to first base, making it bases loaded with no outs.
Alyssa Fowler drove in Dickson with a single to right field, putting the Panthers at a 4-0 lead over the Hawks. The Panthers brought in one more run in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly from
Kaylyn Chapman.
The Hawks got a hit in the top of the sixth that put their first run on the board. The Panthers fired right back, keeping their power going, with
Izzy Berkopec doubling down the right field line. Berkopec scored to make it a 6-1 lead, after
Alyssa Fowler tripled to right center. Fowler got the last run for the Panthers, scoring on a passed ball, finishing it at 7-1. The Hawks left two on base to end the game after
Caroline Campbell came in to pitch.
News and Notes
>
Alyssa Fowler went 3-3 with 2 RBI's
> Four Panthers hit .400 or above in the doubleheader
>
Krislyn Dapprich made her collegiate debut with one putout and 6 assists
Pitching decisions
WIN: Cassidy Dickson (1-0)
LOSS: Holly Sharp (0-1)
Records
#5 Birmingham-Southern 2-0 Overall, Huntingdon 2-2 Overall
Up next
The Panthers will host the BSC Softball Classic on Saturday, Feb. 19 and Sunday Feb. 20 at the Hoover Met. The Panthers first game will be Saturday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. as they take on LeTourneau.
