Due West, SC – The Erskine softball team opened the conference portion of their schedule today playing two games against Queens University. The Fleet dropped the first game 5 to 4 in 11 innings but bounced back behind the strong pitching of freshman Kelsey Spurrier to win the second game 2 to 1.
The Fleet cost themselves a win in the first game by giving up five unearned runs on ten errors. The Fleet surrendered a run in the first inning on two errors and gave up three more runs in the 3rd inning on two hits and three errors. The Fleet (8-14, 1-1) shutout the Royals (5-12, 1-1) for the next 7 innings before allowing the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th inning on a pass ball and error. Despite the errors, Erskine got a strong pitching performance from Lauren Gunter and, offensively Courtney Davis (8) and Morgan Purcell (1) each hit two-run home runs to give Erskine a chance to win the game late. In the bottom of the seventh and again in the tenth, Queens centerfielder Amanda Bowman made perfect throws to the plate to nail Erskine runners trying to score from second base on base hits.
Chantel Dodge got the win for Queens University by pitching all eleven innings, giving up four runs, all earned, on nine hits while striking out nine and walking four. Lauren Gunter got a no-decision despite throwing four-hit ball over 7 innings, striking out five and just walking two. Freshman Heather Richey (1-3) took the tough loss in relief for the Fleet, pitching four hitless innings, striking out two and walking one.
In the second game, Erskine got another excellent pitching performance and some timely hitting to take the second game 2 to1 from Queens University. The Royals got on the board first in the 3rd inning when Megan Lathbury hit a single off the right field wall to score the speedy Maria Goode from first base. Erskine tied the score in the bottom of the third on a two-out error by the second baseman allowing Kelly Davis to score from third base. Erskine added the go-ahead run in the fourth inning when Kayla Vinson, pinch running for Kelsey Spurrier, scored on Kelly Davis’ RBI single. Meanwhile, freshman Kelsey Spurrier threw six innings, giving up just one run on four hits to earn her fifth win of the season.
The Fleet host Columbus State for a doubleheader next Tuesday in a non-conference matchup. Game time is set for 2 p.m.
