DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College softball team (3-11) split a doubleheader against Augusta University (8-7) at the Erskine Softball Complex on Wednesday.

After a comeback effort came up short in Game 1, the Fleet fell behind early again in Game 2, but scored the final 10 runs of the game to earn the doubleheader split against the Jaguars. Kenzie Eagleman provided the heroics, a walk-off grand slam to cap a furious seventh-inning rally.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: Augusta 13-6 Erskine 
In the first true home doubleheader of the 2024 season, it was the visitors who threw an early punch, as Augusta homered in each of their first three innings at the plate and jumped out to an early 9-0 lead. Brooke Patterson got Erskine on the board in the bottom half of the third with an RBI single, scoring Amber Clark. A few frames later, Peyton Rabon worked a bases loaded walk to make it a 9-2 game after five innings. Augusta got that run back in the top of the sixth, but Gabby Burroughs put some game pressure on the Jaguars with a monster grand slam that soared over the left field wall to cut the Fleet's deficit in half. However, Augusta controlled the seventh and final frame to take Game 1.

Game 2: Erskine 10-7 Augusta
A slow start plagued the Fleet once again in the back half of the doubleheader; this time Augusta took an early 7-0 lead after three innings. Freshman Kaylee Odum came on in relief of the Erskine starter to record the final out of the third and was tremendous in the circle helping settle things for the Fleet. After Odum struck out a pair in a 1-2-3 top of the fourth, the Fleet began to embark on the comeback trail. Kenzie Eagleman was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing home Odum to open the scoring for Erskine. Moments later, Amber Clark poked a single the other way to score Maddie Ingram. Odum continued her dominance in the circle in the top of the fifth, and solo home runs from Gabby Burroughs and Peyton Rabon in the bottom half cut the deficit to three runs. Odum faced the minimum in the sixth and seventh innings, keeping the Fleet well within striking distance, but needing a seventh-inning rally. Brooke Patterson, Rabon, and Odum consecutively singled to load the bases with just one out and Erskine brought the winning run to the plate, in the form of Ingram. Ingram continued to move the line with another base knock, scoring Ellie Rapson and making it a 7-5 game. Hailey Patterson followed by a drawing a bases-loaded walk and suddenly the Fleet had the winning run in scoring position. That set the stage for Eagleman, who put a bow on a miraculous comeback in grand fashion, launching a walk-off grand slam over the center field fence to seal a series split for Erskine against Augusta.

THE PLAYERS
It takes a team effort to overcome a seven-run deficit, and the Fleet had just that in the back half of the doubleheader. In the circle, freshman right-hander Kaylee Odum was flawless over four-and-a-third perfect innings to hold down a Jaguars offense that had scored 20 runs in their first 10 innings of the day. Odum retired all 13 batters she faced, five via the strikeout, earning her first collegiate win.

And of course, at the plate, senior third baseman Kenzie Eagleman saved her best for last. Eagleman had just one hit in Game 2, but provided the heroics, a walk-off grand slam in the seventh inning to seal the win.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine goes on the road this weekend for a doubleheader at Coker University (5-7) on Saturday at 1 p.m. This will be the Fleet's first trip to Hartsville since the 2019 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