HICKORY, NC | The Young Harris College softball team competed at the Bear Bash, hosted by Lenoir-Rhyne University. Over the weekend, the Mountain Lions played four games, opening with a tough loss to Lenoir-Rhyne before bouncing back to win their next three games against Augusta, West Liberty, and Assumption. 

QUOTE FROM HEAD COACH JESSIE HOMESLEY: 

"This was a very gritty weekend for our team. We had a lot of fight throughout all four games, and it was great to come away with three wins. It was a complete team effort this weekend and I'm proud of the contributions of our players from top to bottom." 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: 

(GAME ONE) The Mountain Lions battled but fell to Lenoir-Rhyne 9-7. 

• Shelby Duncan and Gracie Hughes each launched a home run for YHC. 

• Grace Young, Duncan, and Hughes each drove in two runs. 

• Abby Pendergrass pitched 5.0 innings for YH. 

• The Mountain Lions collected 12 hits in the game. 

• LRU's Warren drove in four runs for the Bears. 

(GAME TWO) Young Harris responded with a 5-1 victory over Augusta University. 

• Grace Young pitched a complete game, allowing just one run while striking out one. 

• Gracie Hughes went 4-for-4 with an RBI double. 

• Young also belted a two-run home run. 

(GAME THREE) The Mountain Lions continued their momentum with an 8-3 win over West Liberty University. 

• Jess Jaruszewski had a monster game, hitting a grand slam. 

• Shayla Pennington, Abby Castleberry, Addie Heal, and Gracie Hughes each drove in a run. 

• Abbie Burkett and Amber Corley combined to allow three runs while striking out five batters. 

• Corley earned the win in the circle for YH. 

(GAME FOUR) Young Harris capped off the tournament with a thrilling 11-8 extra-inning victory over Assumption University. 

• Gracie Hughes launched a game-tying three-run home run in the seventh inning to send the game to extras. 

• Young, Hughes, and Pennington each drove in two runs for Young Harris.  

• Isabella Pecorilli pitched six innings for YH, Grace Young earned the win, and Pendergrass closed out the game, earning the save. 

• Both teams scored twice in the eighth inning before the Mountain Lions erupted for four runs in the ninth. 

• The Mountain Lions pounded out 12 hits in the win. 

UP NEXT:
Young Harris returns to action Thursday (Feb. 27) afternoon at the YHC Softball Field against Tusculum University (DH).