AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team swept Benedict Wednesday behind a no-hitter from
Lakyn Phillips and a seven-run fourth inning in the nightcap.
Head coach
Jaclin Poole's team won by scores of 4-0 and 10-0.
The Pacers are now 14-18 on the season.
In game one,
Ella Stone recorded a two-out double in the third before swiping third. With the bases full of Pacers, a wild pitch brought Stone home. After a walk to
Emily Ayers to load the bags,
Jessica Stanley raced home on another wild pitch for a 2-0 advantage.
USC Aiken struck for two more runs in the fifth. Stone took a 1-1 pitch and blasted a shot over the right center field wall for her first career round-tripper.
Lauren Wexler singled to right field, pushing Stanley to second base. A walk to Ayers loaded the bases before
Shi Cain's groundout allowed Stanley to score for a 4-0 margin.
Phillips threw her second career no-hitter. She struck out eight and walked one in the contest.
In game two, USC Aiken grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second frame.
Holly Daum singled down the left field line, pushing
Skylar Morley to second base. A base knock from
Taylor Butts allowed Morley to score while Daum hustled to third. With runners on first and third, Poole called a double steal, which worked perfectly, for the 2-0 score.
The Pacers tacked on a run in the third.
Lauren Wexler singled and moved to second on a passed ball. After going to third, a groundout by Cain allowed Wexler to score.
Poole's team broke open the game in the fourth. Morley reached on an error and moved to third on Daum's double to left field. After a walk to
Cameron Greene, a passed ball allowed Morley to score. A walk to Stanley loaded the bases again.
Wexler's groundout pushed Daum home and Ayers ripped a double down the left field line, plating Greene and Stanley for a 7-0 lead.
Kadence Adams doubled home Ayers and Cain before Daum doubled home Adams while
Rebekah Cook, who reached on an error by the catcher, hustled to third base.
For the game, Daum led the team with three hits, including two doubles. She scored twice and had one RBI. Adams and Ayers each drove in two in the victory.
The team rattled off 10 runs on seven hits, including four that went for doubles (two by Daum, one by Adams and one by Ayers).
Payton Baker tossed a complete game shutout, striking out 10. She gave up four hits and one walk in the victory.
The Pacers return to action Saturday when they play at Columbus State at 4 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.