AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA softball team split a doubleheader against Catawba, winning 7-2 before falling 6-5 in the nightcap.
The Pacers are now 3-3 on the season.
Head coach
Jaclin Poole's team plated four runs in the second inning.
Kate Newberry and
Abbie Kegley each drew walks.
Kaylee Bolding laid down a bunt single. Two errors on the play allowed Newberry to score. A double by
Madison Rogers allowed Kegley and Bolding to race home. Two batters later,
Peri Rouillard drew a walk and Rogers promptly stole home for a 4-0 advantage.
The Pacers added a run in the third.
Autumn Fisher roped a single through the left side and raced around the bases, scoring on a double from Kegley for a 5-0 margin.
Up 5-1 in the sixth, Bolding laid down a bunt single. Two batters later,
Anna Turner roped a hard hit down the left field line, putting runners on second and third. Rouillard's bloop single to center field for a six-run lead entering the seventh stanza.
For the game, Bolding had a pair of hits. Rogers and Rouillard had two RBI apiece while Bolding crossed home twice. Kegley, Rogers and Turner each had a double.
In the circle, Kegley went the distance and had 12 strikeouts to pick up the win. She gave up two runs, neither of which were earned, on four hits.
Game two saw the visitors threaten with two on in the first inning. However,
Claire Radford managed to pick up the third out via strikeout. In the bottom of the frame, Rouillard belted a single to left field. Moments later,
Kate Newberry took an offering and blasted the pitch over the right center field fence for a 2-0 margin.
Tied at 2-2 in the third, Poole's squad regained the lead. Rouillard recorded an infield hit.
Lydia Johnson rocketed a pitch down the left field line, allowing Rouillard to score from first.
Down 4-3 in the fifth, Newberry singled to left field.
Gracie Walker entered as a pinch runner and took third on Rouse's double to center field. With two away, Turner took an offering and promptly registered a hit up the middle, driving in two for a 5-4 margin.
Catawba pushed across two runs in the sixth for a one-run lead. USCA had runners on in the sixth, but the team was unable to push across the tying run.
For the game, Rouillard led the team with three hits and scored twice. Bolding, Newberry and Turner had two hits each. Newberry and Turner each drove in two.
In the circle, Radford worked six innings and had six strikeouts. She took the loss. Kegley threw the seventh and had a strikeout.
The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they travel to Erskine Wednesday for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
