AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team swept a doubleheader from Virginia State by scores of 4-1 and 7-0.
The Pacers are now 20-22 on the season while the Trojans fall to 14-14.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the second, head coach
Jerry Snyder's team tied the contest at 1-1. With
Courtney Strauss on third,
Deja Robinson drove her in on a fielder's choice.
USC Aiken took the lead in the third stanza when
Hannah Price crushed an offering high over the center field fence for a 2-1 edge. Two batters later, Strauss singled and was able to trot home when
Sydney Burk blasted a pitch over the right field wall for a 4-1 margin.
Strauss led the team with a pair of hits while Burk tallied two RBI for the victors.
Leah Boghosian, Burk, Price and Robinson all had a hit. Strauss crossed home twice.
Caroline Cockrell went the distance in the circle for USC Aiken. Cockrell gave up one run on seven hits and struck out seven in the win.
The Pacers took a 1-0 lead in game two in the bottom of the third frame. With one down,
Maci Hutto ripped a single to left field before moving all the way to third base on a bunt by
Deja Robinson. With two down,
Katelyn Powell beat out a slow roller to second base for an infield hit, which allowed Hutto to race home.
USC Aiken added to the margin in the fourth.
Holly Daum walked and swiped second base. She managed to cross home plate when Burk blasted a triple to right center field for a 2-0 advantage. Snyder's squad made it 3-0 when Robinson drew a bases loaded walk, pushing Burk home. Painter registered a three-run double to the gap in right center field for a 6-0 score. Powell's opposite field single plated Painter for the final tally of the game.
For the contest, Powell led the way with two hits and two RBI. Painter accounted for three RBI while Hutto scored twice.
In the circle, Price went the distance. She struck out nine and walked two in the shutout victory.
The Pacers return to action Saturday when they travel to Augusta for a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.
