GREENWOOD, S.C. – The USCA softball team defeated Carson-Newman 7-5 before falling 4-3 in eight innings to Young Harris Friday at Lander.
The Pacers are now 8-6 on the season.
In the bottom of the first frame against the Eagles,
Peri Rouillard led off the at bat with a single through the left side of the infield. A base hit by
Lydia Johnson put two Pacers on.
Autumn Fisher laid down a sacrifice bunt, pushing the duo into scoring position.
Mallory Shaver promptly roped a base hit to left field, driving in both teammates for a 2-0 advantage.
USCA extended the margin in the second stanza.
Anna Turner led off the frame with a base knock up the middle and moved to second when Rouillard reached on a muffed throw. Johnson put down a sacrifice bunt, moving the two up 60 feet. With two down, Shaver drew a walk to load the bases.
Kate Newberry earned a base on balls, driving in Turner for a three-run cushion.
Tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth, Rouillard got things going with a base hit down the right field line. After moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Johnson, Rouillard raced home on Fisher's base hit to left field. Shaver singled and with two on, Newberry's groundout allowed Fisher to score for a 5-3 margin.
With the score 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth, Johnson registered a one-out double to left field. Two batters later, Shaver unleashed a powerful swing, connecting with the offering to send it over the fence for a two-run blast.
For the game, Shaver led the way with three hits, including a round-tripper, and four RBI. Johnson and Rouillard had two hits apiece and each crossed home twice. Newberry registered two RBI. Johnson tied the school record with two sacrifice hits in the win.
In the circle,
Lakyn Phillips went the distance. She had eight strikeouts in the complete-game victory.
Against Young Harris, neither team could plate a run until the fourth stanza.
Newberry led off the inning with a base hit up the middle and hustled to second on
Tara McGee's single down the left field line. Two batters later,
Madison Rogers reached on an error, loading the bags. With two down, Rouillard ripped a base hit to the gap in right center field, driving in Newberry and McGee for a 2-0 advantage.
The Mountain Lions closed the gap to 2-1 with a run in the bottom of the frame. The designated home team tied the game in the seventh.
USCA plated a run in the eight, but YHC managed to score two in the bottom of the inning.
For the game, McGee, Newberry, Turner and Rouillard had hits. Rouillard drove in two while McGee knocked in one.
Payton Baker went the distance, striking out four in the loss.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow for a doubleheader against Limestone starting at 12 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
