DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The fifth-seeded USCA softball team lost a hard-fought 7-6 contest to fourth-seeded Lander Friday evening in the quarterfinals of the PBC Tournament.
The Pacers conclude the season at 28-26 while the Bearcats improve to 33-18.
Head coach
Jaclin Poole's team jumped on top in the first inning. Looking at a 2-1 count,
Peri Rouillard blasted a triple to left field.
Autumn Fisher belted a single into left field for a 1-0 lead. After
Kate Newberry registered a base hit through the left side,
Chloe Webb produced a single up the middle, driving in Fisher. On the throw to the plate, Newberry hustled to third while Webb took second.
Madilyn Rouse poked a single up the middle, plating Newberry. A
Kaylee Bolding sacrifice fly knocked in Webb for a 4-0 advantage.
Tied at 4-4 in the fourth, Rouillard reached on an error. Two pitches later, Fisher launched a two-run shot over the left field wall for a 6-4 lead. Lander scored three runs in the fifth for a 7-6 edge.
USCA was unable to get another runner on base in the final two innings.
For the game, Fisher and Newberry had three hits apiece. Fisher blasted a home run, drove in three and scored twice. Newberry crossed home once. Rouillard tallied two hits, including a triple, and scored twice. Webb drove in one and crossed home once. Rouse and Bolding had one RBI apiece.
Lydia Johnson and
Anna Turner recorded base hits.
In the circle,
Abbie Kegley went the distance. She gave up seven runs – six of which were earned – on eight hits. Kegley struck out six.
Poole's team shattered the program record for total bases in a season (647), breaking a mark of 631 that was set in 2004.
