Raina Lanier struck out 10, pitched a complete-game shutout and scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning in a 1-0 win over Covenant. (Photo by Wesley Lyle)
Raina Lanier struck out 10, pitched a complete-game shutout and scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning in a 1-0 win over Covenant. (Photo by Wesley Lyle)

Lanier and Porter lead Huntingdon past Covenant

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Freshman Maggie Porter drove in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning on Saturday to keep the Huntingdon softball team's season alive.

Porter's sacrifice fly scored Raina Lanier and provided the difference in a 1-0 win over Covenant College in the first round of the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament.

Tied 0-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Lanier led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Amber Wade and Samara Miller each drew walks to load the bases and bring Porter to the plate to end the game.

Huntingdon won the first game of the best-of-three series 4-3 on Friday. Covenant won the second game on Friday 5-1.

The Lady Hawks (18-23) advance to the double elimination portion of the conference tournament in LaGrange, Ga., on Thursday. Covenant ends the season at 21-18.

Lanier (6-11) picked up the win with her 14th complete game of the season. It was her fourth shutout of the season. Lanier matched a season-high with 10 strikeouts and held Covenant to five hits. Covenant was held hitless in the final three innings.

Lanier had two of Huntingdon's four hits in the game and finished 2-for-3.