DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College softball team (6-13, 2-1 CC) swept a doubleheader against Chowan University (5-18, 0-4 CC) thanks to a pair of walk-offs from Shi Cain to seal two 4-3 victories for the Fleet on Monday afternoon at the Erskine Softball Complex.
 
THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
THE SERIES
Erskine has won 13 of 14 all-time meetings with the Hawks.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME 1: Erskine 4-3 Chowan
For the second consecutive game, the Fleet surrendered first inning runs as Chowan jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. Meanwhile, the Erskine offense was held in check for its first two innings at the plate. But, Kaley Ingle relieved Erskine's starter Kelci Brown in the third inning and set down the Hawks in order including a pair of strikeouts. Then, in the bottom of the third, Brown doubled down the left field line before scoring moments later on an RBI singles from Sydney McInnis to cut Erskine's deficit in half. After Ingle cruised through the top of the fourth inning on the mound, Erskine drew level thanks to an RBI single from Brooke Patterson to tie the game at 2. Chowan hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth to regain the lead, but it was short-lived as Faith Belue roped a leadoff double in the bottom half of the inning before scoring a few batters later on a wild pitch to tie the game at 3. The Fleet threatened but could not score in the sixth inning, but after Ingle retired the side in order in the top of the seventh, that set the stage for a thrilling end to Game 1. Brown hit a one-out single before stealing second base as she got into scoring position for the heart of the Erskine order. And Shi Cain delivered as she poked a ball through the hole on the left side, which got stuck underneath the glove of the Chowan left fielder, allowing Brown to score and sealing a 4-3 win in walk-off variety for the Fleet.

GAME 2: Erskine 4-3 Chowan (Final / 8 innings)
Fresh off a thrilling Game 1 victory, the Fleet continued their momentum as an Aly Salois sacrifice fly in the first inning gave Erskine an early 1-0 lead. Chowan homered in the top of the second to tie the game, but Brooke Patterson answered with a big fly of her own to put Erskine back in front, 2-1. A few batters later, Katie Hunter helped manufacture some insurance for the Fleet as she was hit by a pitch, stole second base, advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on an error to make it a 3-1 Erskine lead. Chowan scored a single run in the third and fifth innings to come back and tie the game before both pitchers found a rhythm. Erskine had the winning run in scoring position with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh, but three straight outs stranded the would-be winning run and sent the game to extra innings. In the top of the eighth inning, Ingle issued a walk but kept the courtesy runner at second base thanks to a couple strikeouts and a flyout which kept the game tied at 3 going into the bottom of the eighth. Shi Cain led off the frame and dropped down a sacrifice bunt, but the Chowan pitcher fielded the ball and airmailed the throw to first base, allowing Erskine's courtesy runner, Sydney McInnis, to score easily as the Fleet walked it off against Chowan for the second consecutive game, winning 4-3 in eight innings.

THE PLAYER
Shi Cain had just one hit on the day but was the walk-off winner for the Fleet in both games of the doubleheader.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine goes on the road in conference play for the first time this season when they take on the University of Mount Olive (22-6, 5-1 CC) on Friday afternoon for a doubleheader, starting at 2:00 p.m. Erskine swept a doubleheader against the Trojans in Due West last season.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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