DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College softball team (2-10) split its two games on the final day of the 2024 Fleet/Bearcat Invitational, co-hosted by Erskine and Lander, at the Erskine Softball Complex on Saturday.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: Erskine 9-5 Emory & Henry
The visiting Wasps started the game with a two-run home run in the first inning, but the Fleet's resilience was on display all game long. In the second inning, Gabby Burroughs worked a leadoff walk, was pinch-run for by Savannah Koester, who quickly swiped second base before being singled home by Brooke Patterson to get Erskine on the board. Two batters later, starting pitcher, Kaley Ingle helped her own cause, with a two-run home run to fire the Fleet in front, 3-2. Emory & Henry regained the lead in the top of the third and added another run in the fifth to take a 5-3 lead, but Erskine was far from done. Burroughs led off the bottom half of the fifth with a big fly, and then Patterson followed with a home run of her own as the Fleet went back-to-back to tie the game at 5. Ingle danced around a leadoff double in the top of the sixth, and the Erskine offense went back to work in the bottom half. Kenzie Eagleman, Amber Clark, and Kyndall Chandler all singled to begin the frame as the Fleet loaded the bases with no outs. Burroughs continued her big day at the plate with another base knock, scoring Eagleman to put Erskine back on top. Then, Peyton Rabon delivered the punishing blow, a bases-clearing double that was the Fleet's 15th hit of the game to open up a 9-5 lead. Ingle went back out for the seventh and set down the Wasps with ease to finish off a complete-game victory.

Game 2: Limestone 9-0 Erskine (Final / 5 innings)
For the second consecutive day, Erskine took on a premier opponent from the SAC in the back half of their doubleheader, this time it was the Limestone Saints. The Fleet turned to freshman Kaylee Odum to take the ball for the fourth and final game of the weekend and she stifled Limestone for most of the day. Odum held the Saints out of the hit column until a two-out double all the way in the fourth inning. The freshman induced a flyout to strand a runner in scoring position, but the game remained scoreless after four innings. Eventually, Limestone broke through in the final two innings of the game as they took down the Fleet.

THE PLAYER
A number of Erskine hitters had productive games at the plate in the win over Emory & Henry, but junior Kaley Ingle tossed a complete-game with five strikeouts in the circle, earning her second win of the season. Ingle was also 2-for-4 at the dish with a go-ahead, two-run home run in the second inning.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine stays at home to take on Augusta University (7-6) with a doubleheader on Wednesday, starting at 1 p.m. The Fleet and Jaguars split a doubleheader in Augusta last season.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

    Visit the Official Home of Erskine Athletics at www.erskinesports.com
  
    Follow us on Social Media – Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Photos