AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team earned a split in a doubleheader with Newberry on Wednesday evening. The Pacers (17-11-1) dropped game one, 3-1, but were able to salvage the split with a 4-3 come-from-behind victory in game two.
The Pacers will next be in action on Friday, March 22 when Peach Belt Conference foe Georgia Southwestern blows into town for a twinbill at J. H. Satcher field. Game one is slated for a 4 p.m. start with game two following at 6 p.m.
Game 1: Newberry 3, USC Aiken 1
Newberry (13-13) was able to pick up the win in game one behind three runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Pacers would add a single run in the bottom of the frame, but were unable to complete the comeback in the contest.
India Kornegay (Eufaula, Ala./Eufaula HS) picked up the loss in the game, giving up three unearned runs on just three hits. Kornegay fanned nine batters in the complete-game performance.
The Pacer offense came up with three hits in game one with Lindsey Jones (North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta HS) picking up two of the three.
Leah Hosking was the spark for the Newberry offense in the sixth inning, scoring a run and driving in a batter in the frame. Newberry also had three hits in the game.
Kaylyn Camacho picked up the win for Newberry, dealing a complete game and only surrendering one run. Camacho (6-7) fanned three Pacers in the game.
Game 2: USC Aiken 4, Newberry 3
The Pacers were able to come from behind to win game two with a furious rally in the bottom of the sixth inning. USC Aiken scored two runs in the inning to retake the lead after allowing Newberry to take the lead in the top of the sixth.
The Pacers were able to start the scoring for the game in the bottom of the first inning, when Jones bunted in Sarah Montei (Summerville, S.C./Summerville HS). The Pacers would add another single run in the fourth inning when Hillary Stewart (Blythewood, S.C./Blythewood HS) scored off of the bat of Kaitlyn White (McAllen, Texas/College of Charleston).
USC Aiken would surrender three runs in the top of the sixth inning to face a 3-2 deficit going into the bottom of the frame.
The Pacers out-hit the Wolves 9-7 in the victory. Cortney Sadler (Bradenton, Fla./State College of Fla., Manatee-Sarasota), Stewart and Brandy Bossle (North East, Md./Rising Sun HS) all collected two hits in the game.
White drove in the game-winning runs for the Pacers in the sixth inning, bringing in Sadler and Bossle with a double to left-center field. Sadler and Bossle each reached on base hits. White had three RBIs in the win.
Kornegay earned the win in relief in game two for USC Aiken. Kornegay (9-6) came in to pitch in the sixth inning and allowed just one hit, while fanning three Wolves.
