Softball | January 30, 2024
Each week, USC Aiken will post notes. This week, the Pacers play at Francis Marion on Saturday, Feb. 3 before hosting Newberry on Sunday, Feb. 4.
Not The Earliest
USC Aiken opens the season Feb. 3 at Francis Marion. Although it's pretty close, it isn't the earliest the program has started the season since moving to Division II. The Pacers are 2-0 on Feb. 1 and 2-1 on Feb. 2.
They're Dealin' It!
Head coach
Jaclin Poole has six pitchers listed on the roster, including juniors
Payton Baker and
Lakyn Phillips, who have been starters since they first arrived on campus. Baker has 23 wins, including four shutouts, to go along with two saves and 254 strikeouts in 333.0 innings of work. Phillips has 25 victories, including eight shutouts and four saves. She has 319 strikeouts in 343 innings of work. Other hurlers include
Haley Dyson (transfer),
Cameron Greene (sophomore),
Kate Newberry (freshman) and
Marlena Perez (sophomore).
Familiar Foes To Get Started
For the third straight season, USC Aiken will open with Francis Marion over the first weekend of action. Last year, the teams faced off in the season opener. Two years ago, they played the second day of the season.
Young, But Experienced
With only three seniors on the roster, head coach
Jaclin Poole's team seems young. However, the squad is extremely experienced. Each class has multiple student-athletes that have an abundance of starting experience. Additionally, each returning student-athlete has had a valuable impact at various times during their tenure on the team.
Talented Trio
USC Aiken has three student-athletes that are seniors on this year's team. This includes
Taylor Butts,
Skylar Morley and
Jena Dewalt. The trio has combined to play in 278 games while earning 240 starts during their illustrious careers.
Newcomers
Head coach
Jaclin Poole's team consists of a pair of transfer student-athletes (
Kaliyah Hensic and
Haley Dyson) in addition to rookies
Anna Turner,
Chloe Phillips,
Austyn Dixon,
Kate Newberry,
Lydia Johnson,
Madison Rogers and
Abigail Wyatt.
Inside The Numbers
This week, the Pacers open the season on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Francis Marion before hosting Newberry on Sunday, Feb. 4. Since moving to Division II, the Pacers are 230-199 (53.6 percent) in Saturday games and 121-148 (44.9 percent) in Sunday games. During the same time, the team is 4-1 on Feb. 3 and 0-2 on Feb. 4.
Against The Opponents
This week, the Pacers open the season on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Francis Marion before hosting Newberry on Sunday, Feb. 4. The Patriots lead the all-time series 48-30 and have won the last three games in the series. The Pacers are 9-27 at FMU. USC Aiken is 38-26 in the all-time series against the Wolves but Newberry has won the last four outings. The Pacers are 20-13 in the series at home dating back to Apr. 9, 1991.
