Due West, SC – The Erskine Softball Team completed their regular season by winning their last two games against Coker College in Conference Carolinas softball action. The Fleet exploded for 8 runs in the first two innings and pitcher Heather Richey shutout the Lady Cobras to give Erskine the win in game one 8 to 0. In the nightcap, the Fleet broke open a 2-2 tie scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth then held off a Coker rally to win 6 to 4.
The Fleet scored quickly in the first game. After leadoff hitter Kelly Davis scored on a wild pitch, freshman Bailey Thornton drove one to the right-center wall driving in Courtney Davis and Larissa Shannon. Kerry Fincher and Jocelyn Smith followed with RBI singles and Erskine held a 5 to 0 at the end of the first inning. Erskine added three more runs, two earned, in the second inning off a Courtney Davis two run double and a dropped fly ball by the Coker left fielder. Courtney Davis and Bailey Thornton both finished with two hits a piece to lead the Fleet attack. Meanwhile, pitcher Heather Richey scattered eight hits over five innings in earning her seventh win of the season. She struck out three and walked just one batter. Anna Oswald led the Cobras at the plate with three hits while Brittany Owens went 2 for 3. Sydney Greenwalt took the loss for the Cobras surrendering six runs, five earned, in two innings.
In the second game, the Fleet scored two unearned runs in the first on a dropped fly ball to left field allowing Kelly Davis and Larissa Shannon to score. Coker finally snapped their scoreless streak in the top of the fifth when Haleigh Rogers hit a solo home run to dead center field. Coker added an unearned run later that inning to tie the game at 2 a piece. Erskine came right back scoring four runs in the bottom of the inning capped by Bailey Thornton’s two-run double. Coker scored two in the top of the sixth to add some excitement but Erskine prevailed 6 to 4. Krissy Kendrick pitched five innings yielding two runs, one earned, on six hits over five innings. She struck out two and walked two. Lauren Gunter pitched the last inning for the Fleet.
The Fleet conclude their regular season 22-21-1 overall and 14-6 in Conference Carolinas. The Fleet await the outcome of tomorrow’s doubleheader between Anderson and Belmont-Abbey to determine their seeding for the Conference Carolina Tournament. Depending the outcome, Erskine will either be the #2 or #3 seed in the eight team tournament. The tournament starts this Friday in Hartsville, South Carolina.
