Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Spring Hill College (SHC) softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with the William Carey University Lady Crusaders on Tuesday at Murray Field by taking a 3-1 victory in the opener, but falling 4-2 in the second contest.

Senior Badger starter Caroline Sagrera (17-7) surrendered four hits with four walks and eight strike outs while earning her 20th complete-game of the season. Rachel Hickman (10-6) took the loss with six hits, a walk and five strike outs.

Spring Hill took a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning when pinch runner Nikki Bryars scored off an infield error of a sacrifice bunt attempt by second baseman Lauren Stewart who later scored off a two-out single to right by centerfielder Jenna Charnock.

In the 5th inning, Carey made it a 2-1 game when left fielder Haley Nichols drove in a run with shot to deep left field that Badger left fielder Taylor Lahasky kept to a single with a strong throw back into the infield. Sagrera then dodged a huge bases-loaded bullet by coaxing a Crusader groundout to 3rd base with two outs. SHC catcher Kali Clement put an insurance run on the board for the Badgers in the 6th inning when she stole 2nd, advance to 3rd base when the throw down from catcher dribbled into center field and then scored when a potential rundown between 3rd and home fell apart as Crusader 3rd baseman Caitlyn Williams fell down while turning to throw.

The Lady Crusaders (24-11) built a 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning of the second game when a bases-load pick-off attempt at 3rd by Clement sailed into left field allowing Williams to scamper home and Carey center fielder Cecilia Lawn ripped a two-run double into left-center with two outs. The WCU lead grew to 4-0 in the 4th frame when right fielder Harli Crow plated a run with a single to shortstop that Carmen Byrd flagged down with a diving stop to her right, but could not recover in time to make a play.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, SHC third baseman Rene Kausin cut the deficit to 4-2 with a two-run single down the left field line, but the Badgers would draw no closer as Carey starter Hannah Moak (10-5) went the distance with three hits, two walks and two strike outs. Danielle Clark (8-6) suffered the loss in 2.2 innings with three hits, five walks and three strike outs.

On offense, Clement had three hits for the Badgers with two doubles in the nightcap while Byrd and Kausin each had a pair of hits on the day. Lawn had a double and a triple in the second game and first baseman Kimberly Gilbert slapped three hits in the twin bill.

Spring Hill (28-13, 15-0 SIAC) will travel to Pensacola on Wednesday to face the University of West Florida (UWF) Lady Argos (29-11) in a non-conference single game beginning at 1 p.m. at the UWF Softball Complex.