FERRUM, Va. -- King University took both ends of a Conference Carolinas softball doubleheader from Ferrum College this afternoon at Vickie Van Kleeck Field. The Tornadoes won the opener 7-3 with a six-run sixth inning, before taking the nightcap 4-1 behind a complete-game effort from Kaylee Meeks.

RECORDS
King 17-13, 5-3 CC
Ferrum 8-14, 1-7 CC

GAME ONE
Ferrum held a scoreless tie through five innings before King broke through in the sixth with a five-run explosion. Aviah Bunsic reached on a hit by pitch and advanced on a walk, while Savana Luper's double and a wild pitch brought in two runs. Carlie Sheets' single, Imari Golden's RBI groundout, and Aubrey King's RBI single extended the lead to 7-0.

The Panthers rallied in the bottom of the sixth. Riley Young doubled in Abby Bradberry, Hannah Hooper followed with a two-run double, and Laci Garrett added a sacrifice fly to bring home another run, cutting the deficit to 7-3. Ferrum threatened again in the seventh but could not produce additional runs. Savana Luper earned the win for King, allowing three runs on three hits with five strikeouts over five innings. Emily Wood took the loss for Ferrum, giving up five runs (all earned) on five hits in five innings.

KEY STATS
King (Tenn.): Savana Luper 1-3, 2 RBI, 2B; Carlie Sheets 1-2, 2 RBI; Katie Ryan 2 R; SP Savana Luper (W, 4-3) 5.0 inn, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 K; Riley Lamb (S, 1) 2.0 inn, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K
Ferrum: Hannah Hooper 2-4, 2 RBI; Riley Young 1-1, 2B, R; Laci Garrett 1 RBI; SP Emily Wood (L, 3-3) 5.0 inn, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 K

GAME TWO
King built a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a throwing error, a two-RBI double from Aubrey King, and a sacrifice fly by Giana Winge. Ferrum responded in the bottom half of the inning when Abby Bradberry singled in Samantha Smith to cut the deficit to 3-1. The Tornadoes added an insurance run in the seventh. Aviah Bunsic singled to drive in Kaylie Hughes, extending King's lead to 4-1.

Ferrum's late rally attempt in the bottom of the seventh fell short, as the Panthers were held scoreless against Kaylee Meeks' dominant pitching.
Meeks earned the win, tossing a complete game with 12 strikeouts while allowing just one run on eight hits. Chloe Constantino took the loss for Ferrum, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits over six innings.

KEY STATS
King (Tenn.): Aubrey King 1-3, 2 RBI, 2B; Aviah Bunsic 1-4, R, RBI; Giana Winge 1-3, R, SF; SP Kaylee Meeks (W, 8-4) 7.0 inn, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 12 K
Ferrum: Abby Bradberry 3-4, R, RBI; Kaylee Hughes 1-1, 2B; Samantha Smith 1 R, HBP; SP Chloe Constantino (L, 3-5) 6.0 inn, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

UP NEXT
Ferrum will play next on Tuesday, March 17, at home against UNC Pembroke. The Conference Carolinas doubleheader is set for a 2:00 p.m. start at VVK Field.