AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team split a pair of games with the East Stroudsburg Warriors Monday afternoon with scores of 4-1 (W) and 9-3 (L).
The Pacers are now 16-8 on the season.
In the bottom of the first,
Katie Painter started things off with a single before swiping second base. After moving to third on a groundout, she scored on a
Courtney Strauss sacrifice fly.
Strauss started the fourth off with an infield base hit. She used her multi-sport speed to steal second base. An
Emily Ayers double allowed Strauss to trot home for a 2-0 edge.
Brianna Dow's infield single allowed Ayers to race home.
Shircoria Bosket's double to the wall in center field pushed the margin to 4-0 as Dow touched home plate.
For the game, seven different Pacers recorded a hit. Four drove in a run and four scored a run. Ayers and Bosket each had doubles in the contest.
In the circle,
Caroline Cockrell threw a complete game. The lone run she gave up was on a solo shot in the seventh inning. She struck out six batters in the contest and registered just 99 pitches en route to getting the victory. It marked her 11
th victory of the season.
In game two, USC Aiken trailed 2-0 after two innings. In the third, Dow singled and swiped second base. She moved to third on a single by Painter.
Katelyn Powell's base knock to right field scored her, making it 2-1.
Trailing 4-1 in the fourth,
Jessica Smith launched a solo blast to bring the squad within two at 4-2.
The Pacers fought back in the bottom of the seventh, but only managed to grab one more run. Ayers doubled down the left field line to bring home Bosket and make the final score 9-3.
For the game, Powell had two hits while five other Pacers recorded one hit apiece. Powell also picked up an RBI along with Ayers and Smith.
In the circle,
Tracy Truesdale threw the first five and a third innings while striking out six.
Rebekah Cook came in to finish out the last one and two-thirds innings, striking out three of her own.
The Pacers return to action Thursday when they play at Columbus State in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. Live stats and video will be available.