AIKEN, S.C. – The Erskine College softball team (3-2) split at doubleheader against USC Aiken (1-7) by a score of 4-1 at J.H. Satcher Field on Tuesday afternoon. A balanced offensive effort gave the Fleet an 8-7 win Game 1 before USC Aiken took Game 2, 7-2.
 
THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: Erskine 8-7 USC Aiken
After a scoreless opening frame, the Fleet offense came to life in the second inning. The Fleet loaded the bases with nobody out, and a Peyton Rabon sacrifice fly opened the scoring. A few batters later, Mary Elizabeth Ballard delivered with a clutch, two-out, two-run single to make it a 3-0 Erskine lead. Former Flying Fleet, Shi Cain, tied the game for USC Aiken with a three-run home run in the third inning. But, the Fleet didn't take long to go back in front as an RBI single from Kyndall Chandler in the fourth put Erskine ahead, 4-3. The Fleet added another later in the inning as Amber Clark crossed home plate. Kaley Ingle worked around some traffic in the bottom half, and then Maddie Ingram hit a two-run single to double the Erskine lead, 7-3. A Hailey Watson home run in the next inning answered Cain's second big fly of the game. The Pacers made things interesting the seventh, as they had the tying run in scoring position with nobody out. But, Summer Nelsen came on to pitch for the Fleet and calmly set down the next three batters, earning a save and preserving an 8-7 win.

Game 2: USC Aiken 7-2 Erskine
The back half of the doubleheader belonged to the Pacers as they jumped out to a 6-0 lead after four innings. Brooke Patterson and Peyton Rabon launched solo home runs late on, but it was not enough as the Pacers took Game 2, 7-2. 

THE PLAYER
Mary Elizabeth Ballard went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two driven in atop the Erskine lineup in Game 1, leading the way in a 8-run outburst for the Fleet. 
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine comes home for the first time this season as they get set for the Fleet/Bearcat Tournament, co-hosted with Lander, this weekend. Erskine will play twice on Friday, taking on Carson-Newman University (8-1) at noon and then Concord University (1-3) at 2 p.m.

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