DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College softball team (3-15) dropped a doubleheader against No. 23 Lenoir-Rhyne University (21-5) at Bears Field on Tuesday.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: Lenoir-Rhyne 6-4 Erskine 
On the road against a nationally-ranked team, Kaley Ingle helped steady the Fleet, keeping Lenoir-Rhyne off the board early. Then, in the third inning, the Fleet got three straight singles to open the frame before Kenzie Eagleman scored moments later to break the deadlock. Brooke Patterson followed with a huge, two-out, two-run home run to give Erskine a 3-0 advantage. Kyndall Chandler led off the top of the fifth with a big fly, extending the lead to 4-0. However, L-R closed strong, scoring all six of its runs in its final two at-bats to knock off the Fleet.

Game 2: Lenoir-Rhyne 9-7 Erskine 
After L-R took an early 3-0 lead, Gabby Burroughs got the Fleet on the board with her fifth home-run of the season. The Bears responded with a five-run bottom half of the fourth and looked to be in total control, leading 8-1. However, Erskine battled back, starting with a bases-loaded walk drawn by Brooke Patterson, and then Peyton Rabon followed with a two-run single to make it an 8-4 game. The Bears tacked on another run in the sixth, and the Fleet faced a five-run deficit heading into the final inning. But, Erskine refused to go quietly, as Kyndall Chandler started the inning with a leadoff single, and then scored on a two-run single from Patterson, who continued her huge afternoon at the plate. Rabon got Erskine a run closer thanks to an RBI double, bringing the tying run to the plate for the Fleet, but Erskine was unable to get any closer.

THE PLAYER
After a respectable 1-for-3 performance with a double at the plate in Game 1, junior Peyton Rabon went a perfect 4-for-4 with another two-bagger and three runs driven in to help lead the comeback efforts for the Fleet in Game 2.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine enjoys the rest of the week off, before starting a four-game home stand all of next week with a doubleheader against Emmanuel University (9-10) next Wednesday, March 13 at 2 p.m. for the Fleet's 2024 conference opener.

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