MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Covenant softball team earned a key split at USA South foe Huntingdon on Saturday. The Scots took game one, 5-1, before falling in game two, 6-4.

The loss in game two snapped a five-game winning streak for Covenant (12-9, 3-1 USA South). The Scots are 8-3 over the last 11 games.

GAME ONE: Covenant 5, Huntingdon 1

The Scots used 11 hits and a three-RBI effort from Rebecca Hazard to down Huntingdon, 5-1, in Saturday's opener.

Covenant jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first, thanks to a two-RBI home run by Hazard. Following a Taylor Murdock single, Hazard hit her first career homer over the left field fence to give Covenant the two-run lead. 

In the bottom of the second, a single from Annie Nolan and a couple of wild pitches allowed Bailey Murphy to launch a sacrifice fly to bring in Nolan for Huntingdon's solo run of the contest (2-1).

Covenant would then answer with two more runs in their half of the third to go ahead 4-1. The Scots connected on two hits to bring in the scores, including a double from Vanessa Davis and an RBI single from Hazard.

The score would remain that way until the top of the sixth when Covenant tacked on the final run of the game. Madison Murphy singled and was then brought around to score thanks to an RBI single from Davis, giving the Scots the 5-1 lead.

Huntingdon threatened to score in the bottom of the seventh with runners in scoring position, but Lauren Kierpa shut the door to preserve the win.

Hazard finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs, while Davis was 3-of-4 with one RBI. Kierpa (5-6) picked up the win after pitching the entirety of the contest and recording four strikeouts, two walks, and one earned run.

Nolan was 1-for-3 with one run scored for the Hawks. Crimson Wells (7-2) earned the loss after tallying one strikeout, one walk, and three earned runs in two innings pitched. Holly Sharp pitched five innings of relief, striking out three.

GAME TWO: Huntingdon 6, Covenant 4

Covenant had a 4-0 lead after three-and-a-half innings, but the Hawks would use a six-run fourth inning to help them take a two-run victory in game two, 6-4.

Two Huntingdon errors helped the Scots bring across two runs in the top of the second, giving them a quick 2-0 lead.

In the third, back-to-back singles from Taylor Murdock and Davis allowed Lauren Kay to bring in one run with her sacrifice fly (3-0). Mary Elaine Mitchell then singled, bringing in Davis and giving Covenant a 4-0 lead.

But, the host Hawks would connect on five hits in their half of the fourth, bringing in six runs (6-4). 

Four Huntingdon players singled, while Anna Vaughn recorded a bases-clearing double to help the Hawks take a 6-4 lead. 

The Scots would only record two more hits for the remainder of the contest, with none resulting in runners in scoring position, allowing Huntingdon to gain the 6-4 victory. 

Mitchell was 1-of-3 with one RBI, while Hazard finished 2-for-3. Murdock was 2-of-4 and also started in the circle for the Scots. Murdock (3-1) earned the loss after striking out one and walking four in 3.2 innings pitched. 

Vaughn finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs for the Hawks. Sharp (1-3) was given the win after pitching four innings of relief and allowing just two hits.

UP NEXT

Covenant hosts No. 14 Berry on Tuesday for a doubleheader (3 p.m.).

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS

Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.