BREVARD, N.C. - Brevard struggled to find its offensive rhythm in a Wednesday doubleheader with Mars Hill, falling short by scores of 3-0 and 2-0 in South Atlantic Conference play.
Both teams' pitching staffs had impressive outings as neither offense could muster more than five hits in a contest. Jamie Hrobak took the loss in the first game after giving up three runs on five hits in a complete-game effort, then returned to close out the final 1.1 innings of the second contest without allowing a baserunner.
Brevard (8-16, 2-10 SAC) tallied three hits in the 3-0 loss in the day's first game off of Mars Hill's (8-15, 4-6 SAC) Shelby Culler. The Tornados went down 1-2-3 three times in the contest, including in the sixth and seventh innings, and had an additional inning when a baserunner that reached on a walk was doubled up on a bunt attempt that was popped back to the pitcher.
The Lions were plagued by miscues of their own. Leading 1-0 after two Brevard errors led to an unearned run in the fifth, Erin Vickery began the sixth with a single to right field and was relieved for a pinch runner. A botched hit-and-run attempt led to a bizarre double play as designated player Taylor Lail popped a ball up just into foul territory about 20 feet from home plate. Pitcher Jamie Hrobak dodged Lail and dove to snag the ball just before it fell to the dirt, then threw to Jillian Gleeson at third base as the runner rounded second without realizing that the ball was in foul ground or had been caught and without Hrobak remembering to complete the force play at first base. Gleeson calmly threw across the diamond to first baseman Casey Whitaker to complete the rare 1-5-3 foulout double play.
The misfortunate sequence did not deter Mars Hill, however. Jamie Booze drew a two-out walk and scored on a Culler double that found the gap in right center moments later. Another double to the same spot on the field two pitches later increased Mars Hill's lead to 3-0.
The second game saw a familiar set of struggles for the Tornados. Brevard actually outhit Mars Hill 5-4 in the contest but stranded seven runners on the basepaths, including three in the second inning. The inning began with a fielding error by the shortstop before a double to left and a hit by pitch loaded the bases. Hannah Huckabee hit a sharp ground ball to the shortstop, who threw home for the force play and the second out of the inning. A full-count strikeout ended the Brevard threat without a run scoring.
Brevard also had a significant missed opportunity in the fifth inning. Jillian Gleeson poked a leadoff single through the right side but was picked off at first base 2-4 following a failed sacrifice bunt attempt. Kinny Davis and Paige Atkison reached on a single and a walk, but consecutive flyouts ended the inning and stranded two more runners.
Mars Hill had taken a fourth-inning lead on a deep solo home run down the left field line by Erin Vickery. The Lions added an insurance run in the sixth but nearly broke through for more. Hrobak entered with the bags full and Brevard trailing 2-0 with two outs in the inning. She and pinch hitter Shelby Culler, who had dueled as opposing pitchers in the first game, were locked in a battle that saw Culler foul off eight offerings from Hrobak. Hrobak finally struck her out on the 12th pitch of the at-bat to prevent any further insurance runs from crossing the plate.
Pitcher Taylor Hussey shut down the Tornados from that point onward, needing just seven pitches to record the final six outs and close out a complete-game five-hit shutout. Casey Whitaker pitched very well in defeat, giving up two runs on four hits in her 5.2 innings of work.
Brevard returns home to face Coker on Saturday in a Senior Day matchup of conference foes. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
