WINCHESTER, Va. — The Southern Virginia University softball team split its series against Shenandoah after winning the first game 10-5 and dropping game two 4-5 Monday night at Henkel-Harris Field.

Game 1
The Knights (1-3) kicked off the top of the first frame scoring four runs to take an early 4-0 lead.

Emily McDaniel opened with a single followed by a single from Caitlin Barber, advancing McDaniel to second. A passed ball allowed the Knights' baserunners to both move into scoring position at second and third, followed by a Sophia Baddell walk to load the bases. Jordan Stites' patience at the plate paid off walking in McDaniel from third for the games first run. Megan Daniels then hit into a fielder's choice that a costly Hornets (1-5) error allowed two Knights to score. Bethanie Phillips capped off the inning with a single through the left side scoring Stites.

The Hornets managed to score in their first at-bats following a pair of walks, and a single Nikki Stone single scored a run to end the first inning Southern Virginia leading 4-1.

McDaniel started the second inning for the Knights, reaching first on an error. With two outs and McDaniel now at third, Badell singled to center scoring a run. Stites followed with a double to left field, scoring Badell. Daniels then connected for a double to left-center scoring Stites to give the Knights the 7-1 advantage.

After holding the Hornets scoreless for back-to-back innings, Southern Virginia tacked on two more runs in the top of the third inning off a pair of singles from Melanie Peyton and Badell to own a 9-1 lead.

The Hornets held the Knights scoreless in the next two innings before while adding a run in the bottom of the fourth to trail 9-2.

At the top of the sixth inning, Southern Virginia scored its last run of the game after Phillips reached first on an error. Mykayla Johnson doubled to left-center with two outs to score Phillips from first taking a 10-2 lead.

Shenandoah attempted a late comeback started in the sixth inning. A leadoff error by the Knights gave the first baserunner of the inning following by a groundout advancing the runner to second. Morgan Henley then hit single down the line to score the runner from second, making the score now 10-3. In the seventh inning, the Hornets scored two runs on a Sierra Beaty double to cut the Knights lead to five, 10-5, but Southern Virginia managed to end the inning following the runs.

Daniels earns her first win of the season, throwing five innings, allowing six hits, two runs, two walks, and five strikeouts. Kylee Christensen came in relief, tossing two innings surrendering three hits, three runs (one earned), and one strikeout.

Southern Virginia accounted for 13 hits, including eight by different playlers. Barber led the Knights (3-for-4) and followed by Peyton, Badell, and Stites, each collecting two hits.

Game 2

After a scoreless first inning in game two of the doubleheader, the Knights struck first in the top of the second frame that began with a Danielle Asche double to left-center. Natali Hutcheson flew out to center advancing Asche to third before Christensen singled, scoring Asche from third to claim the early 1-0 lead.

The Knights scored two more runs in the top of the fourth after Asche recorded her second hit of the game on a triple to left field. Two batters later, Christensen collected her second hit and RBI of the game singling up the middle to score Asche. Adisen Webster then singled through the right side to bring home Christensen.

Entering the bottom of the fourth, the Hornets trailed 3-0 before going scoring four runs to take their first lead of the series behind six hits and one walk.

Shenandoah added its final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth after holding the Knights scoreless the previous two innings. Sydney Viar leadoff with a walk and was then advanced to scoring position after a sacrifice bunt. Arlene Miller reached first on a dropped third strike that led to an error to score Viar to hold the 5-3 lead.

Southern Virginia had one last shot at the top of the seventh started by a Barber triple. Phillips flew out to center scoring Barber to cut the deficit to one, 5-4. The Hornets withstood the Knights' offense and closed out the game putting out the next two batters.

Christensen is dealt the loss after surrendering four runs, seven hits, and one walk. Daniels also saw time in the circle in game two throwing two innings, allowing one run, three walks, and two punch outs.

Morgan Henley gets the win for the Hornets going a complete game allowing eight hits, four runs, two walks, and five strikeouts.

Asche and Christensen led the Knights' bats with two hits each while Jaydan Allinson and Webster recorded their first hits of their collegiate career.

The Knights will now open five two-game series at home beginning with Franciscan Friday, Mar. 6, with the first game slated to start at 4 p.m.