NELSONVILLE, Ohio — The Southern softball team climbed back over the .500 mark this season with a doubleheader sweep of host Nelsonville-York on Saturday during a non-conference matchup in Athens County.

The visiting Lady Tornadoes (9-8) pounded out 19 hits against the Lady Buckeyes (3-17) in the twin-bill and also never trailed in the first contest. SHS trailed 1-0 after two innings in the finale, but rallied with six straight scores to turn its only deficit into a commanding 6-1 edge through six complete.

NYHS retaliated with a run in the bottom of the seventh, but the hosts’ rally attempt ultimately came up short — allowing the Purple and Gold to claim both victories.

Southern produced 10 hits in the opening contest and jumped out to a 2-0 lead after an inning and a half of play, but NYHS countered with two runs in the bottom of the second to knot things up at two apiece.

The Lady ’Does added a run apiece in the third and fourth frames, turning a tie game into a 4-2 edge after four complete.

Nelsonville-York cut the deficit in half in the fifth with a run, but the guests got that run back in the sixth to take a 5-3 cushion headed into the final frame. Both teams went on to score twice in the seventh, allowing the SHS to hold on for the 7-5 triumph.

Maggie Cummins was the winning pitcher of record, allowing only three hits and seven walks over seven innings while striking out six. Hook took the loss for NYHS.

Breanna Taylor and Kelsey Strang both led the guests with three hits, followed by Lynzee Tucker, Kyrie Swann, Katelyn Hill and Chelsi Ritchie with one safety apiece.

SHS committed five errors in the victory, one fewer than the hosts’ tally of six miscues. Martin led the hosts with two hits.

The Lady Tornadoes outhit NYHS by a 9-7 margin in the finale, with eight of those coming after the second inning.

Trailing 1-0 through two complete, SHS rallied for three runs in the third for a 3-1 edge — then scored three more times in the top of the sixth for a commanding 6-1 lead headed into the seventh.

Taylor led the guests in Game 2 with four hits, followed by Strang with two safeties. Hill, Ritchie and Lindsay Teaford rounded out the hit column with one each.

Cummins was again the winning pitcher of record, allowing seven hits and three walks over four innings of work while fanning two. Martin took the loss for NYHS.

SHS committed four erros in the triumph, one more than the hosts’ total of three miscues.