Softball | April 02, 2024
Each week, USC Aiken will post notes. This week, the USC Aiken softball team plays at Emmanuel on Thursday, Apr. 4 and at Augusta on Saturday, Apr. 6 and Sunday, Apr. 7.
Nukes From Newberry
Rookie
Kate Newberry made a huge impact in the sweep of Lander. After trailing 4-0, the Pacers pulled within one at 4-3 in the fourth. The ensuing inning, Newberry launched a shot over the right center field fence, tying the score. With the score still at 4-4 in the eighth inning, Newberry ended the series opener on the first pitch she saw. Newberry blasted the offering over the left field wall. It marked her second round-tripper of the day and second walk-off homer of the season.
Austyn Is Stone Cold
Freshman
Austyn Dixon had a pair of big games against the Bearcats. In the second game of the series, she registered a double and scored a run. In the series finale, Dixon posted a pair of hits and drove in three runs. She also crossed home once in the run-rule victory.
Thieves!
Head coach
Jaclin Poole's team didn't stay on the bases too long – swiping numerous bases in the series against the Bearcats. In the second game of the series,
Ashlyn White swiped two bases while
Anna Turner stole one bag. In the sixth frame, Turner stole second base while White pulled off the double steal, snagging home plate. White,
Jena Dewalt,
Austyn Dixon and
Lydia Johnson stole a base in the series finale. In the first inning, USC Aiken pulled off a double steal. Dixon took second base while Johnson stole home for a 2-1 lead.
Shaver Sends Them Off
Leading 8-2 in the fifth inning,
Mallory Shaver ended the game early. With
Jena Dewalt on third and
Ashlyn White on second, Shaver took the first pitch she saw and belted it off the wall in left center field. The hit allowed Dewalt and White to score, securing the 10-2 run-rule victory.
In The Circle
Despite having a pair of games canceled last week, USC Aiken's starters looked solid. The duo of
Payton Baker and
Lakyn Phillips combined to toss all 20 innings. They combined for 16 strikeouts and did not issue a walk. The two held opponents to a .235 batting average and sported a 2.10 ERA while helping the Pacers go 3-0.
On The Road Again
After playing eight consecutive road games, USC Aiken was home last weekend for a three-game set against Lander. Head coach
Jaclin Poole's team hits the road again this week for five games – at Emmanuel (Apr. 4 doubleheader) and at Augusta (Apr. 6 doubleheader/Apr. 7 single game). It marks the first five of 10 consecutive road contests for the Pacers before returning home Apr. 20-21 for Senior Day and a celebration of J.H. Satcher Field.
Inside The Numbers
This week, the USC Aiken softball team plays at Emmanuel on Thursday, Apr. 4 and at Augusta on Saturday, Apr. 6 and Sunday, Apr. 7. Since moving to Division II, the Pacers are 75-99-1 (43.1 percent) in Thursday games, 238-207 (53.5 percent) in Saturday contests and 128-150 (46.0 percent) in Sunday contests. During the same time, the program is 3-7 on Apr. 4, 10-14 on Apr. 6 and 11-14 on Apr. 7.
Against The Opponents
This week, the USC Aiken softball team plays at Emmanuel on Thursday, Apr. 4 and at Augusta on Saturday, Apr. 6 and Sunday, Apr. 7. The Pacers hold a 13-1 edge in the all-time series against the Lions. The Jaguars have a 63-61 edge in the all-time series.
