Mary Bradley allowed only two hits and struck out six to lead the Motlow Bucks to a 4-3 win over Roane State in the opening game of a four-game series last weekend in Harriman, TN.
The Bucks (11-22, 6-14) fought through injuries and battled hard but came up short in the series' final three games. Roane won game two 12-11 in eight innings, game three 5-4, and the series finale 9-7.
Motlow will host TCCAA rival Dyersburg State this weekend. Friday's doubleheader begins at 1 p.m., and Saturday's play starts at noon. Admission is free.
None of the Raiders' three runs were earned in game one, as Bradley was sharp in the circle, issuing only one walk. Motlow scored what proved to be the winning run in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a walk and two Roane State errors.
Savannah Beard had three hits and scored two runs with a stolen base, and Demi Garner had a pair of hits with a run batted in. Hannah Foster had a hit, scored a run, and drove in a run.
Saturday's second game was a high-scoring affair that saw the two teams combine for 23 runs and 30 hits. Motlow had 17 of those hits, including four by Karley Daughrity, who drove in three runs and scored two.
Garner slammed a home run and went 2-4 with two runs scored; Allie Anderson had three hits, including a double, and drove home a run and scored a run. Katelyn Helmick has 2-3 with two runs batted in, and Cenzie McAnally had a hit with two runs batted in.
Susanna Cruit got the start and pitched well, allowing only one hit and two walks in 3.1 innings. Bradley came on in relief and was tagged with the loss. Hannah Burks pitched the final .2 innings.
As was the case in game two, Motlow let a lead slip away in the late innings of Sunday's first game. The Bucks led 4-2 entering the sixth, but Roane scored one in that inning and two more to win it in the bottom of the seventh.
McAnally hit a two-run homer in the fifth, driving in Daughrity, who had opened the inning with a single. Motlow had six hits in the game, including two by Garner.
The series' final game saw Motlow take an early lead with three runs in the first inning, but Roane came back with four in the second and never trailed again. The Bucks scored two in the seventh, but the comeback attempt fell short.
McAnally hit another home run, a solo shot, and scored two. Hannah Foster also had a solo home run and scored two runs with two RBIs. Garner had two hits and scored twice.
Bradley took the loss in the circle, although she pitched exceptionally well. Only one of Roane State's nine runs was earned, and Bradley issued only two walks while striking out six.
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Motlow State Community College competes on the Division I level in baseball, softball, women's soccer, men's basketball, and women's basketball. The Bucks are a member of the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) and compete in Region 7 of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
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Motlow State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, disability, age status as a protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations and by Tennessee Board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Barbara Scales bscales@mscc.edu, 5002 Motlow College Blvd. Smyrna, TN 37167, 615-220-7976.
Sports Information
C. Scott Shasteen
931-247-5566
sshasteen@mscc.edu