ST. AUGUSTINE –
Morgan Murphy socked two home runs, hit a double and drove in seven runs as Flagler College swept Erskine College in a non-conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Flagler Field. Flagler rallied to win the opener 14-6 in six innings and then took game two, 5-2.
Flagler improved to 10-5 on the season while Erskine dropped to 5-9.
In the opener, the Saints trailed 6-5 going into the bottom of the fifth inning, but
Maria Kappos belted a two-run home run to give Flagler the lead.
Then, the Saints sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth to win the game by the mercy rule.
Tatum Morgan and
Morgan Murphy led off the inning with a pair of doubles.
Garland Evans, Kappos and Hayley Kirinsky each had an RBI single.
Katlyn McCue (5-3) picked up the win in relief as she tossed two innings. She allowed four hits and two runs, but benefitted from the offensive explosion at the end of the game.
Ally Marcano started and tossed four innings.
Morgan Murphy went 3-for-4 with a grand slam, a solo home run and six runs batted in. Her grand slam in the first inning was her second of the season. Kappos went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. Evans collected two singles, scored three runs and drove in a run.
Morgan Hendrix (3-3) took the loss for the Flying Fleet. She surrendered seven hits and 11 runs. Hendrix walked three and struck out nine batters.
Sydney Smith hit two home runs and drove in three runs. Brittany Reynolds singled twice, scored a run and knocked in another.
In the second game,
Genevieve Mangini hit a two-run homer in the first and
Morgan Murphy hit an RBI single in the third and that proved to be enough for the win.
McCue (6-3) went the distance to earn her second win of the day. She scattered five hits and two runs. McCue struck out four batters, but retired 12 more on fly outs.
Evans went 2-for-4 with a double, scored a run and drove in another.
Morgan Murphy collected a pair of singles and had one RBI.
Hannah Houge (0-4) took the loss in the circle for Erskine. She allowed seven hits and five runs. Houge walked four and fanned seven.
Taylor Payne socked a solo home run in the fifth and drove in the other run on a sacrifice fly.
Flagler visits No. 10 (NFCA Division II Top 25) Saint Leo University on Feb. 27 at 4 p.m.