LowcoSports.com
The John Paul II softball team is off to the best start in its young history, and the Golden Warriors have a signature win to add to their resume.
The Golden Warriors blanked May River, 1-0, on Wednesday, then shut out Hilton Head Christian Academy, 15-0, on Friday to improve to 6-0 heading into a trip to Bluffton on Tuesday, March 17.
The lone run of the game came in the top of the first inning, as JPII’s Ellie Heathcott led off the game with a double down the left-field line, moved to third on Rachael Brenneman’s ground out, and scored on Alivia Ogden’s single to left.
That was enough for JPII’s defense, which set the tone early with a spectacular effort from Lauren Majorkiewicz, whose diving play to snag a bunt attempt turned into a double play.
The Golden Warriors didn’t need to flash the leather too much, though, thanks to pitcher Tevi Mullen, who limited a dangerous May River lineup to three hits and two walks while racking up eight strikeouts. Mullen surpassed 500 career strikeouts in the process.
Murphy reaches 300 K’s
Madison Murphy has enjoyed a spectacular collegiate softball career in the circle, and the USCB senior seems to be saving her best for last.
Murphy has already racked up six shutouts while compiling an 8-4 record and a 2.31 ERA this season, and in Friday’s 9-7 loss to Lander, she surpassed 300 career strikeouts. Murphy compiled 157 of those punch-outs in her two seasons at Chattanooga State and has added 149 in less than two full seasons with the Sand Sharks.
With 67 strikeouts already this season, Murphy has a chance to surpass her career-best of 94 as a freshman at Chattanooga State.
Yeske earns 100th win
USCB softball coach Codee Yeske also hit a milestone recently, earning her 100th career win as a head coach in a 2-0 win over Columbus State in game 1 of a doubleheader on March 7.
Yeske, a former standout for the Gamecocks at the University of South Carolina, is in her fifth season at the helm of USCB’s program, having guided the Sand Sharks through the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II competition. She won a career-best 29 games a year ago and has the squad sitting at 15-11 going into Wednesday’s home doubleheader at home against Savannah State.
Unfortunately, the Sand Sharks haven’t been able to add to Yeske’s win total since, dropping five straight games in Peach Belt Conference play, including a three-game sweep at the hands of Lander over the weekend.