Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman Lady Lion softball team got back on track in conference play Friday with a sweep of Stephens College after grinding out a 3-1 victory in the opening game followed by an 8-0 blowout in the nightcap.

Makenzie Prince (10-6) picked up the win in the opening game after working seven full innings and allowing just four hits while striking out nine. Caitlyn Carter led the Lady Lions at the plate as she went 2-for-3 and swiped two bases and scored two runs.

The Lady Lions (20-12, 12-6 AMC) did a majority of their damage in the early part of the game as they scored one run in each of the first three innings, which proved to be all they needed to hold off the Stars in the opener.

Caitlyn Carter scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning after reaching on a single to shallow left field and scoring on a sacrifice by Makenzie Prince to put FHU on the board.

The Lady Lions would add another run in the bottom of the second inning, as Jordan Burton crossed the plate after reaching on a walk and scoring on a single to right field by Savannah Decker to put FHU up 2-0.

Caitlyn Carter would score her second run of the game in the bottom of the third inning to put the Lady Lions up 3-0 after she reached on a single down the third base line and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Jenna Graham to give the Lady Lions all the cushion they would need.

Stephens College (7-25, 5-9 AMC) would attempt a late rally in the top of the sixth inning, as Monica Nakamatsu would cross the plate for the Stars after reaching on a double to deep left field and scoring on a single to center field by Sarah Dooley. However, the Stars would be unable to push any more runs across in the game as Prince would shut them down to pick up her tenth win of the season.

The Lady Lions would keep things rolling in the nightcap as they pounded out eight hits on their way to an 8-0 shutout of the Stars. Mallory Spurlock (10-5) picked up the win after working six innings and allowing just three hits while striking out six for her tenth victory of the season.

Caitlyn Carter continued her strong play at the plate for the Lady Lions as she pounded out four hits in the game, including two triples to put things away early for FHU. Carter added to her impressive day in the nightcap with three RBI and two stolen bases to lead the Lady Lions for a second straight game.

With the sweep, the Lady Lions improve to 20-12 on the season and 12-6 in conference play. The Stars fall to 7-25 on the season and 5-9 in league play with the loss.

UP NEXT: The Lady Lions will be back in action tomorrow as they host Columbia College for a double-header beginning at 1:00 PM at Morgan Stadium.