AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team lost a pair of hard fought games to Lander by scores of 5-1 and 7-2.
The Pacers are now 11-31 on the season and 3-11 in league play.
In the opener, head coach
Jerry Snyder's squad fell behind 2-0 in the first inning. Through the first three frames,
Sydney Kate Murphy was the only baserunner for the home squad. However, that changed in the fourth.
With one down,
Hannah Price drew a walk.
Leah Boghosian came in as a pinch runner and swiped second base with two down. Murphy's double to right center field allowed Boghosian to score, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Bearcats managed to plate three runs in the sixth for a 5-1 advantage.
Kathleen St. Peter walked with two down in the seventh, but the team was unable to push across another run.
For the game, Murphy went two-for-three with one RBI while Boghosian scored the lone run.
In the nightcap, the visitors managed to take a 3-0 lead in the third frame, but it was only after USC Aiken had a chance to take the lead in the second.
In the bottom of the second,
Chandler Terrapin ripped a single to left field and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from
Sarah Sams. A wild pitch allowed Terrapin to scamper to third, but a deep fly ball ended the threat.
Down 3-0, USC Aiken tried to get on the board in the third.
Kristan Lowery singled and moved to second on a one-out single from Boghosian. However, a fielder's choice and a groundout ended the stanza.
The Pacers got things going in the fifth when Lowery led off with a base knock. With two down,
Katelyn Powell singled to third base and
Deja Robinson – who came in as a pinch runner – raced to third on the play.
Hannah Price belted a hard-hit ball to the shortstop, who misplayed the ball. The error allowed two runs to come home, making it 3-2.
Terrapin nearly tied the game in the bottom of the sixth, but the center fielder made a spectacular play, saving a homer. The Bearcats plated four runs in the seventh, securing the 7-2 win.
For the game, Lowery led the way with two hits. Boghosian, Powell and Terrapin each had one hit apiece.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow when they host Francis Marion at 1 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
