Charlotte, NC – After being shutout in the first game, the Erskine softball team erupted for eight runs in the second game to win 8-3 against Queens University in Conference Carolinas softball action at Park Road Park.
Game one featured a classic pitcher’s duel with Queens University prevailing 1-0. Queens’ Brandy Jester earned the win by pitching a complete game shutout. Jester scattered eight hits while striking out five and not surrendering a walk. Erskine’s Heather Richey (Abbeville, SC, Abbeville High School) was a victim of poor defense as she tossed a complete game giving up one unearned run on five hits.
The game’s lone run was scored in the fourth inning. Queens’ catcher Emily Poulton reached on an error and advanced to third on another Erskine defensive miscue. Poulton scored on a single by the pitcher Brandy Jester. Erskine threatened to score several times but could not produce a timely hit. Morgan Purcell, Ashlyn Hicks, and Kerry Fincher had two hits each for the Fleet.
The second game, on the other hand, ended in dramatic fashion. With the game tied 2-2, Erskine scored six runs in the top of the eighth inning, highlighted by a grand slam by Bailey Thornton, to win 8-3. Erskine scored their first two runs in the 3rd inning. Kelsey Spurrier (Charlotte, NC, Butler High School) led off with a single and was advanced to third on two consecutive fielding errors by Queens. Spurrier scored on Colleen Gardner's fielder’s choice and Kerry Fincher scored on Queens’ third defensive miscue of the inning. Queens got one run back in their half of the third on an RBI triple by Poulton. Queens tied the game in the sixth on two doubles by Kaitlyn Cheek and Megan Lathbury. Erskine blew the game open with six runs in the 8th, capped by Thornton’s grand slam. Spurrier threw a complete game, surrendering three runs, two earned, on six hits while striking out 13 and walking three. Jester took the loss, going 8 innings giving up eight runs, six earned, on six hits.
Erskine is now 8-4-1 overall and 1-1 in conference while Queens moves to 11-9 overall and 4-2 in conference.
Erskine hosts Lees-McRae College on Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
