Box Score
Bristol, Tenn. – The King University softball team showed strong offensive stretches and late-game resilience on Saturday, but North Greenville capitalized on key moments in both contests to sweep the doubleheader. King totaled 18 hits across the two games and produced a nine-run first inning in game two, but the Crusaders' middle-inning surges ultimately made the difference.
Game One: North Greenville 3, King 2
Game one featured strong pitching on both sides before North Greenville broke through in the middle innings.
Game Summary
After a scoreless first inning, North Greenville struck in the second when Lexie Metcalf lifted a solo home run to left for a 1–0 lead.
King starter Kaylee Meeks kept the Tornado within striking distance, holding the Crusaders off the board again until the sixth. North Greenville added two insurance runs in the frame, beginning with a triple from Sydney Price that scored Jordan Slocum. Neely Hartin followed with an RBI single to right, extending the lead to 3–0.
King mounted a late rally in the seventh. After Alena Demakas entered as a pinch runner, Katie Ryan delivered a two-run home run to left, cutting the deficit to 3–2. King brought the tying run to the plate but could not complete the comeback.
King Highlights
• Katie Ryan went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in the seventh.
• Aubrey King added two hits behind the plate.
• Giana Winge, Kaylie Hughes, and Savana Luper each recorded a hit.
• Alena Demakas scored a run and added a stolen base.
In the Circle
• Kaylee Meeks threw a complete game, allowing three runs on nine hits with two strikeouts.
• North Greenville's Haylee Whitesides earned the win with a seven-inning effort.
Game Two: North Greenville 14, King 9
Game two opened with an offensive surge from both teams, featuring a combined 11 runs in the first inning alone.
Game Summary
North Greenville struck first with a two-RBI double from Lexie Metcalf in the top of the first, followed by an RBI single from Michael Barron to make it 4–0.
King responded immediately with a six-run bottom half. Yuleesa Kennedy singled home Giana Winge, and Savana Luper followed with a bunt single to score Kennedy. Aviah Bunsic added an RBI single, and Sophia Waters drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 4–2. Winge then delivered a two-RBI single to center, giving King a 6–4 lead.
The Tornado added three more in the second when Katie Ryan doubled down the left-field line, clearing the bases and extending the lead to 9–3.
North Greenville answered with a four-run fourth inning, highlighted by a three-RBI double from Metcalf that tied the game 9–9. The Crusaders took the lead for good in the fifth, scoring five runs on a combination of errors and timely hits, including a two-RBI double from Haylee Whitesides.
North Greenville added two more in the sixth on a two-RBI single from Emily Blackwell, pushing the margin to 14–9. King was held scoreless over the final five innings.
King Highlights
• Yuleesa Kennedy went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
• Giana Winge recorded two hits and drove in two runs.
• Katie Ryan doubled and drove in three during King's six-run second inning.
• Savana Luper added two hits and an RBI.
• Aviah Bunsic contributed an RBI single and scored twice.
In the Circle
• Sophia Waters started and worked four innings, allowing eight runs (one earned).
• Savana Luper took the loss in one inning of relief.
• Riley Lamb finished the final two innings.
Up Next
King returns to action on Monday, March 9, hosting Fairmont State for a nonconference doubleheader at the King Softball Field. Game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET, with the second game to follow at 3:00 p.m. ET.
