BANNER ELK, N.C. | The Young Harris College softball team powered its way to a Conference Carolinas sweep of Lees-McRae on Sunday, taking game one 11-8 before closing the day with an 8-1 victory at Bobcat Field.

With the two wins, the Mountain Lions improve to 25-13 overall and an incredible 17-3 in Conference Carolinas play.

Game One: Young Harris 11, Lees-McRae 8

Young Harris jumped out early and never trailed, plating six runs in the opening inning to set the tone.

Gracie Hughes got the scoring started with an RBI single before Anna Kate Hill delivered a two-run double. Jordan Morris followed with an RBI single, and Bailee Brown capped the inning with a two-run single to give the Mountain Lions a 6-0 lead.

Lees-McRae responded with three runs in the second and added four more across the third and fourth innings to cut the deficit to 8-7, but Young Harris answered late.

The Mountain Lions added two runs in the sixth on RBI fielder's choices from Maddy Brady and Morris before Hill drove in another run in the seventh to provide insurance.

Hill led the offense with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, driving in three runs and scoring twice. Hughes added three hits and an RBI, while Duncan and Brown each drove in two.

Julia Moore earned the win in relief, improving to 12-3 after allowing just one run over 3.1 innings.

Game Two: Young Harris 8, Lees-McRae 1

Young Harris completed the sweep with a dominant all-around performance in game two.

The Mountain Lions struck first on a two-run home run from Gracie Hughes in the opening inning and continued to build the lead throughout the game.

Hughes finished with two hits and four RBIs, adding a sacrifice fly and an RBI double later in the game. Hill added two hits and an RBI, while Mallory Clark recorded three hits.

In the circle, Isabella Pecorilli was outstanding, tossing a complete game while allowing just one unearned run on five hits with seven strikeouts.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Young Harris totaled 30 hits across the two games (15 each game)
• Anna Kate Hill went 6-for-8 with 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored in the doubleheader
• Gracie Hughes drove in 5 runs, including a two-run home run in game two
• Julia Moore earned the win in relief in game one, while Pecorilli tossed a complete game in game two
• The Mountain Lions outscored Lees-McRae 19-9 on the day

UP NEXT
Young Harris continues Conference Carolinas play on Wednesday (Apr. 1) afternoon on the road versus Emmanuel for the Roar War matchup, as the Mountain Lions look to stay hot.