AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team lost a pair of games to Francis Marion Saturday by scores of 15-1 and 9-0.
The Pacers trailed 1-0 in the bottom of the first in the opening game.
Jessica Stanley blasted a single through the right side of the infield to lead things off, but she was erased on a fielder's choice. Two batters later,
Skylar Morley advanced to third after
Mallory Shaver reached on a fielding error but a pop-up ended the inning.
Head coach
Jaclin Poole's team registered a one-out single in the second off the bat of
Holly Daum. However, back-to-back outs ended the frame.
USC Aiken tried to get things going once again in the third inning. With two down,
Emily Ayers belted a double to right center field. A walk to Shaver put a pair of Pacers on the base paths but a grounder ended the inning.
A six-run fourth made it 7-0 but Poole's team got on the board in the fourth. With one away, Dum blasted a solo round-tripper to left field. Two batter later
Taylor Butts singled but a fly ball ended the frame. The Patriots plated eight runs in the fifth in the 15-1 victory.
In the nightcap,
Kadence Adams led the way with a two-for-three performance while Ayers and
Shi Cain each picked up a hit.
Ayers registered her second double of the season in the loss. Daum and
Jakayla McKelvey each registered a stolen base.
USC Aiken put two runners on base in the bottom of the first frame. Stanley drew a walk and moved to second on a bunt. Ayers laid down a sacrifice bunt, pushing both runners up a base. Back-to-back outs ended the inning.
FMU took a 3-0 lead in the second. The visitors added three more in the third and one in the fourth for a 7-0 advantage.
The Pacers threatened in the sixth inning. With one away, Cain singled through the left side of the infield. Adams picked up a hit but the home squad was unable to push across a run.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow against Catawba in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
