Vernon Powers Eagles Past Patriots

Asbury would later have to forfeit both games after the use of ineligible players.

WILMORE, Ky. – Hailey Vernon’s second career home run was her first walk-off home run as the Eagles swept Cumberlands (Ky.) 6-2 and 7-5 in eight innings on Wednesday evening, earning their fourth straight victory.  Vernon hit her first home run of the season on Tuesday.

In game two the Eagles (15-17) blew a 4-0 and a 5-2 lead, allowing the Patriots (5-32) to score three times in the sixth to tie it at 5-5.  In the eighth Kelsey Robinson stranded a runner at third after Morgan Brock was placed on second due to the international tie-breaker being used in extra-inning games.  In the bottom half Taryn Biddle was placed on second as a pinch-runner and Vernon was the first batter.  Vernon had entered the game in the top of the eighth as a defensive replacement.

The Patriots tied the game with three runs in the sixth, two scoring off an error with two outs.  Cumberlands had two hits in the inning before two runs scored as a chopper went over the head of second baseman Rebecca Baker.

Asbury scored a single run in the first and three more in the second as Mary Ann Warford collected both of her hits in the first two innings and drove in two runs in the second with a single.  Miranda Drury and Julie Jarboe each hit a run-scoring double in the second.  Warford stole two bases to move into the top 10 in the NAIA with 26.  Ashleigh West hit her first home run of the season in the fourth.

Kelsey Robinson picked up the win in relief of Sarah Pattengale.  Robinson allowed six hits and three runs, only one earned in five and a third innings to improve to 6-8.  Pattengale, starting for the first time this season, allowed four hits and three walks and two runs in two and two-thirds innings.

In game one the Eagles scored four runs in the fourth to overcome a two run spot put up by the Patriots in the top half of the inning.  Emily Ethington and Warford provided run-scoring hits and Kelsey Robinson drew a bases loaded walk.  In the fifth the Eagles added two more as Amber Taylor and Vernon each knocked in a run.

Four players for the Eagles currently carry a 10+ game hitting streak as the team heads to Indiana for weekend games at Saint Francis and Indiana Wesleyan.  Vernon, Drury and Warford have each collected a hit in 11 straight games while Jarboe has hit in 12 straight.