DUE WEST, S.C. – The USCA softball team picked up a sweep at Erskine Wednesday afternoon, recording wins by identical 4-2 scores.
The Pacers are now 5-3 on the season.
Head coach
Jaclin Poole's team jumped on top with a two-run first inning.
Peri Rouillard reached on an error and took second on a walk to
Autumn Fisher.
Kate Newberry belted a double, plating Rouillard and Fisher for an early 2-0 advantage.
The Flying Fleet answered with a run in the second, cutting the margin to 2-1.
In the fifth stanza,
Lydia Johnson crushed an offering over the fence for a solo round-tripper, making it 3-1. Rouillard promptly doubled to center and later scored on Fisher's groundout, giving Poole's squad a three-run cushion.
For the game, Newberry led the way with two hits, including a double, and two RBI. Rouillard scored twice in the victory.
In the circle,
Abbie Kegley went the distance and had five strikeouts while picking up the victory.
Game two saw USCA jump on top with a run in the top of the first. Rouillard led off the game with a base knock through the right side of the infield, but she was erased on a fielder's choice. Newberry smacked a double to right center field, driving in
Kaylee Bolding from first base for the advantage.
Madilyn Rouse singled to start off the fourth and took second on a groundout. Two batters later,
Claire Radford singled her home with a hit to left field for a 2-0 margin.
Leading 2-1 in the fifth, Poole's team struck again. With two away, Newberry singled and
Gracie Walker entered as a pinch runner. Fisher's base hit put two on for Rouse, who promptly roped a single to left field, making it 3-1.
Holding a 3-2 lead in the seventh, Newberry drew a two-out walk. Fisher reached on an error and Rouse promptly pelted an offering for a hit, driving in Newberry for a 4-2 advantage.
For the game, Rouillard and Rouse had three hits apiece. Newberry and Rouillard each had a double while Rouse drove in two. Newberry had two hits, drove in one and scored. Fisher and Radford each had a hit. Radford drove in one while Bolding and Walker each scored.
In the circle, Radford worked 5.2 innings and had five strikeouts. She gave up two runs, only one of which was earned, on five hits. Kegley entered and tossed 1.1 frames with two strikeouts to get the save.
The Pacers return to action Saturday when they host Lenoir-Rhyne at 2 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
