LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Starting pitcher Cori Hilt allowed no earned runs in a complete-game effort in game one, but the Covenant softball team fell to visiting Birmingham Southern 2-0. In the day's second game, Birmingham Southern hit three home runs en route to a 9-0 victory in five innings.
Covenant drops to 2-8 overall on the season with the losses. Birmingham Southern goes to 3-5 for the year.
Hilt (1-4) worked around a couple of jams in the first game, but surrendered two unearned runs on five hits in seven innings of work. She struck out three and walked two while throwing 93 pitches.
Covenant's bats were silenced for the most part by stellar pitching from Taylor Harkins. Harkins (1-1) picked up the win in game one as she struck out seven and allowed four hits. Harkins threw 85 pitches, 64 for strikes.
The only runs in the first game came in the fourth inning. The Lady Scots committed two errors in the frame to extend the inning. Birmingham Southern's Bethany Fronk reached on an error that allowed pinch-runner Joanna Jernigan to score from third. Fronk later scored on a wild pitch to give the visiting Panthers a 2-0 lead.
Covenant had a runner advance to second base in three of the final four innings, but the Lady Scots could not come through with clutch hits. Madison Quirk doubled to left field in the fourth with two outs, but was stranded there. In the fifth, Meagan Hess reached on a bunt single and then stole second followed by Chandler Shepherd reaching on a dropped third strike.
The Lady Scots' last chance to get on the board in game one came in the seventh as Kendall Whann led off with a single to left field. Morgan Strennen moved Whann to second with a sacrifice bunt, but Harkins shut the door from there to give Birmingham Southern the 2-0 win.
In the second game, Birmingham Southern's Torrie Garner was 3-for-3 with two home runs and three RBIs as the Panthers wrapped up the doubleheader sweep. Alyssa Statham finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs and Hannah Harris also launched a home run and was 1-for-3.
Hannah Rogers (1-4) was hit with the loss in game two. Hilt came on in relief and threw three innings allowing two runs on three hits. Shepherd, Morgan Lane and Lauren Johns each had a hit.
Birmingham Southern's Fronk (2-4) went all five innings and allowed three hits while striking out four.
Covenant will get back into USA South play this weekend. The Lady Scots travel to Raleigh, N.C., to face Meredith (Friday) and William Peace (Saturday).
