Due West, SC – Erskine split a doubleheader today with Barton College in Conference Carolinas softball action.  The Fleet (20-21-1) dropped the first game 4-1 but bounced back to win game two 7 to 5.

The first game was a pitcher’s duel through the first four innings.  In the top of the fifth, Barton College caught a break on an Erskine fielding error.  With two outs, Natalie Phipps hit a double into the right-center gap scoring Amber Fletcher and Jessica McFadden.  Barton added two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh.  Melanie Henderson scored the lone Fleet run in the bottom of the seventh on Kelly Davis’ groundball.  Elizabeth Webb earned the win for the Bulldogs throwing two-hit over 4.2 innings while walking three and striking out three.  Kendall Street picked up the save pitching the last 2.1 innings and surrendering one run on two hits.  Erskine’s Lauren Gunter took the loss giving up four runs, just two earned, over 6.1 innings.

The Erskine bats came alive in the second game pounding out ten hits, including three home runs.  Larissa Shannon led the Fleet going 3 for 3 and driving in four runs on two home runs.  Her second blast came in the fifth inning and gave Erskine a 6 to 0 lead.  Morgan Purcell followed Shannon’s home run with a shot to left field to give Erskine a 7 to 0 lead.  Purcell finished the game 2 for 3 with two RBIs.  Kelly Davis also went 2 for 4 from the leadoff spot.  Barton rallied over the last two innings by scoring five runs, including a two-run home run from Natalie Phipps.  However, Erskine’s Heather Richey got the last out to preserve the 7 to 5.    Rebekah George earned her first win of the season pitching five scoreless innings and striking out four.  Heather Richey closed out the game to earn her third save of the year.

The Fleet finish their regular season schedule this Monday against Coker College.  First pitch is set for 3 p.m.