FLORENCE, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team split a pair of games at Francis Marion, winning 3-2 before falling 4-0 in the nightcap.
The Pacers are now 10-6-1 on the year while the Patriots are 17-5.
In the first game, head coach
Jerry Snyder's team jumped out to a 1-0 advantage in the third inning. With one down,
Sarah Timmerman picked up an infield base hit and moved to second when
Leah Boghosian reached on a fielding error. A groundout pushed both runners up 60 feet. A passed ball allowed Timmerman to scamper home for the early lead.
FMU plated a pair of runs in the fourth and maintained the 2-1 advantage until the seventh inning.
Timmerman got things going with a base hit through the left side of the infield. Boghosian drew a walk to put two runners on.
Sydney Kate Murphy laid down a sacrifice bunt. A throwing error by the pitcher and another on the right fielder moved Murphy to second and Boghosian to third. The miscues allowed Timmerman to race home, knotting the contest at 2-2.
Chandler Terrapin drew a walk. Then,
Magan Thrower earned a base on balls for what turned out to be the game-winning run. However, it was not without stress.
The Patriots tried to even the score in the bottom of the seventh – and loaded the bases with one down. However,
Hayley Elkins forced a fielder's choice and Timmerman rocketed the ball home for the second out. Then, Elkins made the FMU player swing and miss for the final out of the game.
For the game, Murphy and Timmerman each led the way with two hits. Thrower drove in the game-winner while Timmerman crossed home twice. Elkins went the distance for the win. She struck out three in the contest.
USC Aiken put runners on second base in the first two innings, but was unable to push across a run. The Patriots plated three unearned runs in the third and held off the Pacers for the victory.
Snyder's team threatened in the fifth.
Kristan Lowery was hit by a pitch and raced to second on a wild pitch.
Lyndie Dorgan laid down a bunt for a base hit, putting runners on first and third. With one down,
Kathleen St. Peter drew a walk to load the bases. However, back-to-back fielder's choices ended the inning.
Down 4-0 in the sixth, Terrapin walked and moved to second on a single by
Courtney Strauss. However, two line drive outs sent USC Aiken back into the field without a run.
The Pacers return to action Tuesday when they travel to Queens for a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. Live stats will be available at PacerSports.com.
