Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Due West, S.C. – Erskine split with Belmont Abbey College today, winning the first game 9-0 in five innings but dropping the second game 7-2, in Conference Carolinas softball action at the Erskine College Softball Complex.

Erskine erupted for six runs as the Fleet sent eleven batters to the plate in the first inning which was more than enough run support for senior pitcher Kelsey Spurrier (Charlotte, NC, Butler High School).  After an RBI single by Ashlyn Hicks (Caycee, SC, Brookland-Cayce High School), seniorBailey Thornton (Pauline, SC, Dorman High School) provided the big blow with a two-out triple that scored two more runs.  Senior Larissa Shannon (Newberry, SC, Newberry High School) and juniorLindsay Waters (Simpsonville, SC, James L. Mann High School) were a perfect 2 for 2 while Hicks was 2 for 3.

The nine runs were more than enough for Spurrier as she tossed four shutout innings, giving up just three hits. Katherine Mulzer (Donalds, SC, Dixie High School) pitched the last inning to preserve the shutout.

The Abbey turned the tables on the Fleet in the second game scoring four runs in the first inning and adding three more runs in the second.  The Crusaders scored their first four runs without the benefit of a hit.  The first four batters reached as two were hit by a pitch, another on a fielding error and the last one on a fielder’s choice when the Fleet failed to get the lead runner on a sacrifice attempt.

In the next inning, the Crusaders scored three runs on four hits.  Amber Faust hit a two-run double that forced Erskine starting Kaylin White (Columbia, SC, White Knoll High School)from the game.  Senior Heather Richey (Abbeville, SC, Abbeville High School) struck out the next batter to end the inning but Erskine found themselves down 7-0 after just two innings.

Erskine scored two runs in their half of the third on a double by Shannon.  Shannon just missed a grand slam as her ball hit midway up the right field fence.  Erskine threatened again in the sixth on another double by Shannon but the Abbey’s Samantha Jacobs pitched out of trouble to earn her fifth win of the year.

Jacobs went the distance, giving up 2 runs, one earned, on two hits while fanning eight and walking two.

Richey pitched well in relief, going 5.1 innings and surrendering just three hits.  She struck out five and walked two. 

Due to several rainouts, Erskine finds themselves back in action tomorrow for their third doubleheader in four days against the Royals of Queens University.  The first game starts at 3:00 p.m.