AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA softball team split a doubleheader with Anderson Wednesday, winning 4-3 before falling 8-5 in the nightcap.
The Pacers are now 15-19 on the season.
Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth,
Kate Newberry drew a lead-off walk. Two batters later,
Mallory Shaver took a 2-0 pitch and lined the offering over the center field wall for a two-run home run.
Down 3-2 in the sixth, Newberry drew a lead-off walk.
Lakyn Phillips reached on a fielder's choice. An errant throw by the third baseman allowed Newberry to reach third on the play.
Peri Rouillard entered as a pinch runner and Shaver recorded a single to left field, tying the game as Newberry crossed home plate to make it 3-3.
Alexis Stout registered a sacrifice fly to left field, driving in Rouillard while giving the Pacers a 4-3 lead.
For the game, Shaver had three hits, drove in three and scored. Stout drove in a run while Newberry scored twice.
In the circle, Phillips went the distance to get the win. She had nine strikeouts.
Game two saw the Trojans take a quick 1-0 lead, but head coach
Jaclin Poole's team responded quickly in the bottom of the first.
Autumn Fisher led off the frame with a single up the middle. Two batters later, Newberry sent a shot over the right center field wall for a 2-1 advantage.
USCA increased the lead in the fourth.
Madison Rogers was hit by a pitch. After moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Ashlyn White, Fisher singled to the shortstop. Rogers raced home on the play to make it 3-1. Newberry poked a pitch up the middle. The second baseman gathered it, but Newberry beat it out for the two-out single and Fisher scored, pushing the margin to 4-1.
The Trojans tied it with a three-run homer in the sixth. However, Fisher responded with a triple to straight-away center field. She trotted home on a sacrifice fly by Newberry, giving the home team a 5-4 edge.
AU responded with a four-run seventh inning for the 8-4 win.
For the game, Fisher led the way with three hits, including a triple. Newberry posted two hits, including a home run, drove in four and scored. Stout also had a pair of hits in the contest.
In the circle,
Payton Baker had 14 strikeouts.
Ally Fleming recorded the final two outs in relief.
The Pacers return to action Friday when they play at Lander at 5 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
