AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA softball team split a doubleheader against Mount Olive, winning 5-1 before dropping the nightcap 4-2.
The Pacers are now 2-2 on the season.
Head coach
Jaclin Poole's team nearly broke open the scoreless contest. With two down,
Anna Turner roped a triple down the right field line. However, she was left stranded.
In the fourth,
Autumn Fisher drew a one-out walk and promptly stole second. She scored on a double to center field by
Kate Newberry.
Cassidy Neves entered as a pinch runner and trotted home on a
Madilyn Rouse double to center field.
Abbie Kegley pushed the game to 4-0 when she launched a two-run round-tripper over the center field wall.
UMO threatened twice, but Kegley quickly shut down the visitors.
With two outs in the sixth, Kegley gave up her first hit of the game. The Trojans put two runners on, but Kegley recorded another strikeout, ending the threat.
For the game, Johnson, Kegley, Newberry, Rouse and Turner had hits. Kegley posted a two-run home run. Turner had a triple.
In the circle, Kegley tossed a complete-game, one-hit shutout. She had 10 strikeouts in her first collegiate victory.
Game two saw Poole's team jump out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
Peri Rouillard reached first on an infield single and took second on a failed pickoff attempt. After hustling to third on a groundout, Rouillard raced home on Fisher's groundout for the one-run advantage.
Down 2-1 in the fourth,
Alexis Stout entered as a pinch hitter and promptly belted a single to left center field.
Mollie Rollings re-entered the game. With two down,
Kaylee Bolding hit a bloop into right center field. Three defenders tried to converge on the ball, but it fell between all three. Rollings raced around to score, knotting the contest at 2-2.
UMO took a 4-2 lead in the fifth. Poole's team continued to play hard, but the squad was unable to put another runner in scoring position.
For the game, Fisher posted two hits and drove in a run. Rouillard scored a run. Bolding also drove in a run.
In the circle,
Claire Radford got the start and tossed five frames. She had seven strikeouts.
Ally Fleming worked the final two innings and had a strikeout.
The Pacers return to action Sunday when they host Catawba for a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
