Lady Lions extend season with two-run win

May 17, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — With the No. 3 seed Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions needing to win three games on Wednesday to make a return trip to Columbus, Georgia, the hosts took game one over the No. 2 seed Ottawa (Kan.) University Braves 2-0.

Things looked scary for the Lady Lions (27-14) after the Braves led off with a walk, before a double planted runners on second and third with nobody out. Settling in, starter Chloe Winters quickly struck out two - sandwiching a popout - to retire the side with no runs scored.

FHU would jump ahead in the bottom of the second inning after Catherine Crabb led off the inning with a single past the Ottawa (42-11) first baseman before moving to second with a stolen base. In her second start, Molli Deere would drive in the opening run with a double to right-center field to score Crabb and take a 1-0 lead.

Another double from the FHU bats led off the third inning, this time from Kennedy Harris-Bennett. After Karli Quillin's sacrifice bunt moved Harris-Bennett to third, Sophie Dunavant drove in the second - and final - run in the 2-0 elimination bracket final.

Chloe Winters (12-5) picked up the complete game shutout, striking out four while allowing one walk.

Karli Quillin led the FHU offense with two of FHU's six hits.