AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA softball team split a doubleheader with Emmanuel on Saturday, winning the first game 7-2 before falling 5-4 in the nightcap.
The Pacers are now 10-8 on the season.
In game one, head coach
Jaclin Poole's jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Peri Rouillard led off the stanza with a triple to left field and scored on a wild pitch.
USCA increased the margin in the fourth.
Mallory Shaver led off the frame with a base hit. After moving to second on a hit from
Tara McGee,
Alexis Stout ripped an offering off the wall for a double, knocking in Shaver. Two batters later,
Anna Turner blooped a double into left center field, driving in McGee and Stout. Rouillard followed it with a double to right field, knocking in one.
With runners on first and second, Shaver took an outside pitch and hit it into center field, driving in Johnson.
Emmanuel scored a run in the sixth and the seventh, but
Ally Fleming went the distance, securing the victory. Fleming had a pair of strikeouts while giving up one earned run on 10 hits.
For the game, McGee, Rouillard and Shaver had two hits apiece. Rouillard crossed home twice in the win.
In game two, USCA trailed 1-0 in the bottom of the third frame.
Alexis Stout singled and
Madison Rogers entered as a pinch runner. After moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Turner, Rouillard knocked her in with a double to left center field.
Kate Newberry ripped a pitch into center field, driving in Rouillard, who had swiped third base.
Tied at 2-2 in the fifth, Rogers recorded an infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Turner. A base hit by Rouillard put runners on first and third. A steal by Rouillard placed both runners in scoring position.
Lydia Johnson laid down a bunt, allowing Rogers to score. Newberry's sacrifice fly allowed Rouillard to trot home for a two-run cushion.
The visitors scored three runs in the seventh and held on for a one-run victory.
For the game, Rouillard went three-for-four with a double, one RBI and two runs scored. Newberry had a pair of RBI while Rogers and Rouillard each crossed home twice.
In the circle,
Payton Baker tossed a complete game. She had five strikeouts in the loss.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow for a doubleheader against UNC Pembroke starting at 12 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
