Ferrum, Va. — King University softball delivered a complete performance on Saturday afternoon, sweeping its Conference Carolinas doubleheader at Ferrum with a 7–3 win in the opener and a 4–1 victory in the nightcap. The Tornado improved to 17–13 overall and 5–3 in league play, using a blend of shutdown pitching, aggressive baserunning, and clutch hitting to control the day from start to finish.
Game One: Late Surge Lifts King to 7–3 Victory
King set the tone early with disciplined at-bats and pressure on the basepaths. After a scoreless first inning, the Tornado broke through in the second when Savana Luper lifted a sacrifice pop to center to score Aviah Bunsic. Moments later, Carlie Sheets added another RBI on a sac fly, giving King a 2–0 lead.
Pitching Holds the Line
Luper was equally sharp in the circle, holding Ferrum hitless through the first three innings and allowing just three hits over five frames. She struck out five and worked efficiently, keeping the Panthers off balance with a steady mix of speeds.
Tornado Break It Open in the Sixth
Clinging to a 2–0 lead, King erupted for five runs in the sixth, seizing full control of the game:
- Luper doubled to right-center to score Bunsic.
- A wild pitch brought home Katie Ryan.
- Sheets followed with an RBI single, her second run driven in.
- Imari Golden added a run on a groundout.
- Aubrey King capped the inning with an RBI single up the middle.
The 7–0 cushion proved more than enough, though Ferrum pushed across three runs in the bottom half. Riley Lamb entered in relief and shut the door with two scoreless innings, earning her first save of the season.
Game One Standouts
Game Two: Meeks Dominates as King Completes the Sweep, 4–1
The Tornado carried their momentum straight into the second game, though both teams traded zeros through the first three innings. King finally broke through in the fourth, and once again it was timely hitting that sparked the offense.
Aubrey King Delivers the Big Swing
With two runners aboard, Aubrey King roped a two-run double to left-center, scoring Aviah Bunsic and Savana Luper. Moments later, Giana Winge lifted a sacrifice fly to right, bringing home another run and stretching the lead to 3–0.
Ferrum answered with a run in the bottom half, but that was all they would manage against Kaylee Meeks, who turned in one of her best outings of the season.
Meeks Shuts Down the Panthers
Meeks was electric, striking out 12 batters while scattering eight hits and allowing just one run in a complete-game effort. She worked out of multiple jams, using her rise ball to overpower hitters in key moments.
Insurance in the Seventh
King added a final run in the seventh when Bunsic singled to right-center, scoring Kaylie Hughes to make it 4–1. Meeks handled the rest, retiring the final three batters to secure her eighth win of the season.
Game Two Standouts
Series Takeaways
King's sweep showcased the team's growing balance — dominant pitching, aggressive baserunning, and production throughout the lineup. The Tornado stole seven bases in Game One, tallied 17 hits across the doubleheader, and allowed just four total runs.
With the sweep, King strengthens its position in the Conference Carolinas standings and continues to build momentum as the season approaches its midpoint.
Up Next
King returns home on Wednesday, March 18, hosting Tusculum for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at the King Softball Complex.
