AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team picked up a pair of wins over Southern Wesleyan Friday afternoon by scores of 3-0 and 9-5.
The Pacers are now 7-5 on the season.
Game one was scoreless through the first four innings. Head coach
Jaclin Poole's team broke open the game in the bottom of the fifth.
Skylar Morley reached on an error and promptly stole second base. After a walk to
Holly Daum, both Pacers moved up 60 feet.
With two down,
Jena Dewalt singled, scoring Morley. Dewalt swiped second and Daum scored on a throwing error for a 2-0 edge.
In the sixth,
Emily Ayers reached on a throwing error and moved to second on the play. After hustling to third on a wild pitch,
Brooke Moore popped up to the shortstop behind third base. Ayers made the quick call and raced home for a 3-0 score for what turned out to be the final margin.
For the game, Dewalt and Moore each drove in a run. Ayers, Daum and Morley all crossed home.
Getting the starting nod in the circle was rookie
Payton Baker. She was dominant, giving up a mere four hits while striking out nine. Baker did not walk a batter while earning the victory.
Down 3-0 in the bottom of the first of game two,
Mallory Shaver pulled the home squad within one with a two-run blast over the left center field wall. The round-tripper scored Dewalt, who singled and stole second earlier in the frame.
USC Aiken tied it in the second stanza.
Ashlyn White singled and moved to second on a throwing error. After stealing third, she scored when
Taylor Butts laid down a bunt, knotting it at 3-3.
Down 4-3 in the fifth, Dewalt singled and swiped second base. With one down, Shaver was behind in the count 1-2 before fouling off multiple pitches. After narrowly hitting one foul down the third base line, Shaver got ahold of an offering and ripped the pitch over the left center field wall for a 5-4 advantage. USC Aiken added another run for a 6-4 margin on an error.
Poole's team broke open the game in the sixth. Leading 6-5,
Lauren Wexler singled up the middle on an 0-2 count, scoring White.
Brianna Dow's double to center field scored Wexler and Moore's single down the left field line pushed the score to 9-5.
For the game, Shaver led the way with three hits, including two homers, while driving in four. Dewalt, Moore and White had two hits apiece. Dewalt and White scored twice apiece.
Lakyn Phillips came in and worked the final 6.2 innings of the contest to pick up the win. She struck out eight batters and gave up just one walk.
The Pacers return to action Sunday when they play at No. 23 Anderson in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
