LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Madison Quirk lifted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to propel the Covenant softball team to a 4-3 victory over Berea in Friday's first game before the Lady Scots run-ruled the Mountaineers 8-0 in the second game.

Covenant improves to 4-0 with the victories, while Berea drops to 0-2 overall.

Kasey Hart went 4-for-6 with three runs scored and three RBIs on the day, while Covenant received more solid pitching from Joni Johnson and Tyler Epes.

GAME ONE: Covenant 4, Berea 3

Joni Johnson tossed a nine-inning complete-game and Covenant was able to score the winning run in the bottom of the ninth on Quirk's bases loaded sacrifice fly that scored Jordan Brett for a 4-3 victory.

Covenant took a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and third innings. Hart led off the bottom of the first with a triple down the left field line and scored one batter later when Jami Johnson grounded out to second. In the third, Hart reached on a fielder's choice then stole second before scoring on Brett's double to left field giving the Lady Scots a 2-0 lead.

Berea answered with two runs in the fourth as Morgan McClure led off the frame with a solo home run and Kourtney Parker followed with an RBI double to knot the game at 2-2.

Joni Johnson and Berea starter Katelyn Blair were locked in a pitcher's duel from that point forward. Johnson had retired 11 straight before a two-out double in the seventh from Berea's Taylor Flowers.

In the extra innings, both teams capitalized in the eighth with single runs. McClure knocked a double to right-center field with two away to give the Mountaineers a 3-2 lead, but Jami Johnson answered with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning to tie it up at 3-3.

Covenant was able to hold Berea scoreless in the top of the ninth as McClure was caught stealing at third as a lead runner at second. In the bottom of the ninth, Covenant loaded the bases with nobody out and Quirk lifted a fly ball to medium depth center field that enabled Brett to scamper home with the winning run.

Joni Johnson (2-0) went the distance allowing two earned runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. Hart finished 2-for-3 with two runs, while Morgan Lane went 2-for-4.

Berea's Blair (0-1) went 8.1 innings surrendering two earned runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. McClure led the Mountaineers by going 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs.

GAME TWO: Covenant 8, Berea 0

A seven-run first inning allowed Covenant to cruise to an 8-0 victory in six innings over Berea in Friday's second game.

Covenant starter Tyler Epes (1-0) was the beneficiary of all the offensive support as she went six innings and scattered just three hits while striking out five in the complete-game shutout.

11 batters came to the plate in the first for Covenant as the Lady Scots scored seven runs on seven hits in the frame. Brett and Shannon Schmitt had RBI singles to make it 2-0 and Lane later scored on a wild pitch. Joni Johnson tipled home Schmitt before Hart unloaded the bases with a three-run triple to cap the inning.

Covenant ended the contest in the bottom of the sixth when Carlin Labuzan drew a bases loaded walk that brought home Shade Epes.

Hart went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored in the win. Schmitt added two hits along with a run scored and an RBI, while Shade Epes went 2-for-3 with two runs. Covenant had 11 hits in the contest.

Berea starter Taylor Flowers (0-1) gets the loss in the circle. McClure, Lillian Setters and Kourtney Parker had a hit apiece for the Mountaineers.

UP NEXT

Covenant hosts Mount St. Joseph for a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

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