Due West, SC- The Erskine softball team opened up the 2016 season by sweeping local rival Lander University.  The Fleet won game one 6-4 and game two 9-4.

Game One

Destiny Clyde would lead off the game with a walk and then later scored on a fly out by Kacey Rogers to give the Bearcats a 1-0 lead.  Erskine would explode for six runs in the second inning to take the lead.  Jacquie Hill would lead off the inning with a single to center field and later score on a bases loaded walk to Regan Davis to tie the game.  Sydney Smith would then single to left to score two runs, and Chandler Crawford would blast a three run home run down the left field line to make it a 6-1 game.  Lander would add two runs in the third and a run in the seventh but it would not be enough.

Smith led the Fleet going 2-3 with two runs driven in, while Crawford was 1-2 with the home run and three RBI's.  Danica Newton (1-0) picked up the win allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out two in five innings of work.  Kaylin White (1) recorded the save allowing one run on one hit in two innings of work.

Game Two

Clyde would once again give Lander the early lead when she led off the game with a single and then later scored on an Erskine error.  Erskine would tie the game up in the second when Kaitlyn Kerly reached on an error and later scored on a single by Christine Long.  Erskine would then take the lead in the third when Smith led off with a single and advanced to third on a single by Crawford.  Lydia Trexler would then score Smith on a sacrifice fly.  The Bearcats would take advantage of an Erskine error in the fourth and score three runs to retake the lead.  In the bottom half of the inning, Brittany Rhinehardt would lead off with a single and Long would draw a walk.  With one out Davis would line a double into the left center field gap to tie the game and later scored on a wild pitch to make it a 5-4 game.  Long would put the game out of reach in the fifth when she blasted a grand slam to left center to make it 9-4.

Long led Erskine at the plate going 2-2 with a home run and five RBI's, while Smith and Crawford each had two hits.  Candace Fitch (1-0) picked up the win allowing four unearned runs on five hits and striking out six in a complete game performance.