TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The USCA softball team split a pair of games at North Greenville on Saturday, winning the first game 5-3 before dropping the nightcap 12-10.
The Pacers are now 5-3 on the season.
Head coach
Jaclin Poole's team trailed 2-0 going into the top of the fourth.
Peri Rouillard reached on an error and moved to second on the play.
Lydia Johnson ripped a single up the middle, driving in Rouillard. Two batters later,
Kate Newberry placed a base hit to left field, driving in Johnson for a 2-1 advantage.
Tied at 2-2 entering the sixth frame,
Mallory Shaver recorded a one-out double to center field and scored when Newberry followed her lead, doubling down the left field line for a 3-2 edge.
Poole's team added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh.
Cameron Greene reached on an error and
Tara McGee doubled.
Alexis Stout lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, driving in Greene. Two batters later, Rouillard smacked a double to straight-away center field, knocking in McGee for a three-run cushion.
The Trailblazers scored a run in the bottom of the seventh and threatened to add more with two on and two out, but Baker delivered a foul out to end the game.
For the game, Newberry had two hits, including a double, and two RBI. Rouillard, Shaver and McGee all had doubles in the win.
In the circle,
Payton Baker went the distance. For the complete game win, she notched seven strikeouts.
Game two saw Poole's team jump on top in the second.
Kaliyah Hensic earned a lead-off walk and promptly stole second base. After a walk to McGee,
Autumn Fisher recorded an infield single to load the bags. Fellow newcomer Stout roped a single to right center field, driving in Hensic. Rouillard notched a one-out single, driving in Fisher. Johnson cleared the bases with a double to the gap in left center field for a 5-0 advantage.
Leading 5-1 in the fourth,
Anna Turner drew a one-out walk after facing an 0-2 count. She promptly trotted home when Rouillard crushed an offering to right center field for a triple. Johnson's sacrifice fly allowed Rouillard to cross home plate for a 7-1 advantage.
North Greenville had an 11-run fourth inning for a 12-7 lead. Hensic pulled the team within four with a solo shot in the fifth stanza. An inning later, Turner led off with a double. Rouillard drew a four-pitch walk before Johnson roped a single to left, driving in Turner. Newberry lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, making it 12-10.
USCA had a runner on base in the seventh, but the team could not tie the contest.
For the game, Fisher, Johnson and Rouillard had two hits apiece. Johnson drove in five runs while Rouillard knocked in two. Rouillard and Turner crossed home three times each while Hensic scored twice.
In the circle,
Lakyn Phillips had three strikeouts in 3.1 frames.
Ally Fleming tossed one-third of an inning before Baker came in for the final 2.1 innings and had three strikeouts.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow when they have their home opener against Francis Marion. It marks the first games at the new facility. The doubleheader starts at 12 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
