Softball | March 07, 2023

This week, USC Aiken plays at Claflin Wednesday, March 8 before playing at USC Beaufort on Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12.

Recapping Last Week

Last week, USC Aiken had five road contests – three at No. 3 North Georgia and two at Mars Hill. The Pacers went 1-4 in the games but the team was extremely close to going 4-1. USC Aiken fell to the Nighthawks 8-4, 8-1 and 4-0. In the first and third games, the team had a chance to tie the game in the seventh inning. Head coach Jaclin Poole's team bested Mars Hill 4-3 in the opener before falling 3-2 in eight innings in the nightcap. 

Movin' On Up 

Last week, sophomore Lakyn Phillips continued her climb up the USC Aiken record books. With an 11-strikeout performance in the win at Mars Hill, Phillips jumped into eighth place for career strikeouts. She now has 236 – just 10 behind Julie Green for seventh with 246.  

Stone Cold

Rookie Ella Stone crossed home twice in the nightcap at Mars Hill. Trailing 1-0 in the third frame, Stone reached on an error with one away. After stealing second, she moved to third on an error before hustling home the final 60 feet on Lauren Wexler's base knock. Two innings later, Stone re-entered the game after Shi Cain came in as a pinch hitter. After moving to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a passed ball, Wexler delivered a sacrifice fly that allowed Stone to score. It marked the second game this season Stone has crossed home twice. 

Never Giving Up

Despite the losses to No. 3 North Georgia, head coach Jaclin Poole's team put forth tremendous effort in each contest. In the series opener and the series finale, USC Aiken had the tying run at the plate in its last at bat. 

Inside The Numbers

This week, USC Aiken plays at Claflin Wednesday, March 8 before playing at USC Beaufort on Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12. Since moving to Division II, the Pacers are 94-85-1 (52.5 percent) in Wednesday games, 226-192 (54.1 percent) in Saturday games and 119-143 (45.4 percent) in Sunday contests. During the same time, the team is 12-16 on March 8, 18-16 on March 11 and 17-6 on March 12. 

Against The Opponents

This week, USC Aiken plays at Claflin Wednesday, March 8 before playing at USC Beaufort on Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12. The Pacers hold a 19-6 lead in the all-time series against Claflin. This marks the first meeting between the Sand Sharks and USC Aiken.