Wesleyan pitchers dominate in twinbill sweep of Averett

Danville, VA - Junior pitchers Libby Fulford and Karen Hathcock combined for two shutout wins on Tuesday afternoon, leading their Bishop softball squad to a USA South twinbill sweep of Averett University on the road.  Fulford (7-1) scattered five hits in an 8-0 Wesleyan win in game one, while Hathcock (4-0) allowed six hits en route to a 2-0 victory in the nightcap.  The duo combined to strikeout 11 and walk just three on the day. 

The Bishops have now won nine straight and are 11-1 on the season.  More importantly, Wesleyan remains atop the conference standings with a 4-0 league mark.  Averett is now 4-10 overall, 0-2 in USA South action.

In game one, the Bishops jumped out to a 3-0 league in the second inning after Fulford delivered an RBI-fielder's choice followed by Payton Gordon's two-run single.  Wesleyan increased its lead to 5-0 in the third on a two-run triple by Hannah Hardy.

The Bishops proceeded to add three insurance runs with one in the fifth and two in the seventh.

The eight-run lead was more than enough for Fulford, who picked up her seventh win of the season and third in conference play.  Fulford, the current USA South Pitcher of the Week, went the distance and allowed no runs on five hits while striking out four and walking three.

Hardy finished 3-for-4 at the plate to pace Wesleyan offensively.  Gordon was 2-for-4 with a team-best three runs batted in.

It was then Hathcock's turn in game two. 

Her teammates gave her an quick 1-0 lead in the first when Shelley Hinson singled and eventually came around to score on a Cougar throwing error. 

The junior righty made the slim 1-0 lead stand, scattering six hits and striking out four in four innings of work.  Fulford came on in the fifth and recorded the final nine outs to earn her first save of season.

Hinson led the Bishop offense with a 2-for-2 performance at the plate as Wesleyan recorded just five hits in the contest.

The Bishops return to action this weekend at the East Coast Classic in Florence, SC.  On Friday, Wesleyan will take on Salem at 9:30 a.m., Huntingdon (AL) at 1:30 p.m., and Peace at 3:30 p.m.