Softball | March 28, 2023

Each week, USC Aiken will produce notes. This week, USC Aiken hits the road for a doubleheader at Limestone on Tuesday, March 28 before playing at Lander on Saturday, Apr. 1 and Sunday, Apr. 2. 

Recapping Last Week

Last week, the USC Aiken softball team went 2-3 with a couple of hard-fought, close losses. The Pacers opened the week by sweeping Benedict by scores of 4-0 and 10-0, including a no-hit bid by sophomore Lakyn Phillips. 

Head coach Jaclin Poole's team hit the road for always-tough Columbus State. USC Aiken was swept in the series, but the visitors were within striking distance in the late innings of one of the contests while leading until the bottom of the seventh in the series finale. 

No No No!

In the first game against Benedict College, USC Aiken's Lakyn Phillips recorded her second career no-hit bid. Phillips tossed the complete-game no-hitter, striking out eight while walking just one batter. One additional Tiger got on base via an error. 

Stone's Solo Shot

Ella Stone had herself a monster game in the first win over Benedict. Stone not only recorded a double, but she also blasted her first career round-tripper in the game, which came in the fifth inning on a 1-1 pitch over the right center field fence. 

Nearly A Baker's Dozen

Payton Baker threw a complete-game shutout in the nightcap win over Benedict. She struck out 10 batters in the game, marking the second-most batters she struck out in a single game this season. Baker had 10 strikeouts against Mars Hill and notched a career-high 13 strikeouts in the victory over Young Harris earlier this year.  

Half The Time

In the doubleheader against Benedict, senior hurler Rebekah Cook recorded her first two career at bats. In the second at bat, Cook hustled to first base. She managed to get to third base later in the frame before being left stranded at the end of the inning. 

Run Rule
In the second victory over Benedict, head coach Jaclin Poole's team notched its second run-rule victory of the season. The Pacers bested the Tigers 10-0, picking up seven runs in the fourth frame. The other five-inning run-rule victory this season came via an 8-0 win at Claflin on March 8.

Record Book Update

In the series at Columbus State, Emily Ayers continued her climb in the USC Aiken record book after launching a home run. It marked the 18^th of her career, moving her into a tie for fourth with KB Moore. Ayers was previously tied with Sydney Kate Murphy and Chandler Terrapin for fifth place with 17. Ayers stands one home run shy of Hannah Price for third place (19). Ayers is also one RBI shy of seventh place on the career list (91) and just four back of fifth place. Ayers moved into fifth place for career putouts as well (655) and stands in ninth for career total chances (753). 

Payton Baker stands just three strikeouts back of 10^th place on the career list. Lakyn Phillips is closing in on her 300^th career strikeout as she sits in seventh place. 

Inside The Numbers

This week, USC Aiken hits the road for a doubleheader at Limestone on Tuesday, March 28 before playing at Lander on Saturday, Apr. 1 and Sunday, Apr. 2. Since moving to Division II, the Pacers are 123-76 (61.8 percent) in Tuesday games, 104-98-1 (51.5 percent) in Saturday contests and 228-196 (53.8 percent) in Sunday affairs. During the same time, the team is 9-7 on March 28, 10-11 on Apr. 1 and 7-13 on Apr. 2. 

Against The Opponents

This week, USC Aiken hits the road for a doubleheader at Limestone on Tuesday, March 28 before playing at Lander on Saturday, Apr. 1 and Sunday, Apr. 2. The Pacers lead the all-time series against the Saints 17-15. USC Aiken trails the all-time series to the Bearcats 49-34.