Miller sparks Lady Hawks in conference sweep of Salem

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Freshman Samara Miller hit a pair of two-out singles to drive in the winning runs in Game 1 and Game 2 of the Huntingdon softball team's 2-1 and 3-1 sweep of Salem College on Saturday.

The two wins marked the start of USA South Athletic Conference play for the Lady Hawks (2-10, 2-0 USA South). Salem drops to 8-7 overall and 0-2 in the USA South.

Tied 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh in Game 1, Miller singled through the right side to score Kelsie Dardon. In Game 2, tied 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Miller singled through the right side to score Brandi Blair and Amber Wade.

Miller, who entered the game with five hits and one RBI this season, was 6-for-8 with three RBIs in the doubleheader. She was 4-for-4 in Game 1.

In Game 1, Huntingdon took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Raina Lanier singled to score Maggie Porter. Salem answered in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game. In the bottom of the seventh, with two outs, Miller ended the game.

Lanier (1-5) picked up the win in Game 1, striking out eight and scattering six hits in a complete game. Lindsey Selph (1-3) threw a two-hitter, struck out six and walked three in a complete game to earn the win in Game 2.

In the second game, Salem took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and held the lead until the sixth inning. A single by Blair scored Lanier to tie the game with one out in the sixth. With two outs and runners on second and third, Miller put the Lady Hawks ahead by two runs.

In the top of the seventh, Selph forced a line out, a pop out and a ground out to end the game. Miller, Porter and Blair each had two hits in the second game.

Huntingdon returns to action at home on Sunday with a doubleheader against Piedmont. Game 1 is set for noon.