DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College softball team (5-21, 1-9 CC) split a doubleheader against Shorter University (5-22, 2-8 CC) at the Erskine Softball Complex on Wednesday afternoon.

Erskine launched three home runs and exploded for 17 runs in a dominant 17-2 win in Game 1, but could not overcome a late deficit, dropping Game 2, 6-4.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: Erskine 17-2 Shorter (Final / 5 innings)
Back at home to begin a long home stand, Erskine got off to a flying start as the Fleet manufactured five runs in the first inning without the benefit of a hit. Erskine picked up right where it left off in the second inning, as Peyton Rabon's two-run home run and Kennedy Crouch's three-run blast accounted for another five run frame to make it 10-2 Fleet after just two innings. The Fleet offense was at it again in the third, starting with an RBI single from Gabby Burroughs to add another run. After Rabon singled and Brooke Patterson drew a walk to load the bases, Maddie Ingram cranked a grand slam over the left center field fence to extend Erskine's lead to 15-2. Burroughs and Rabon added RBI singles in the fourth and freshman Erin Redmond went the distance in the circle, tallying six strikeouts and earning her first collegiate win as the Fleet dominated the Hawks in the opener.

Game 2: Shorter 6-4 Erskine
In the back half of the doubleheader, Peyton Rabon got the scoring started with an RBI single in the first inning to give the Fleet another early lead. Shorter tied the game with an RBI groundout in the second, but Gabby Burroughs answered for the Fleet with a solo home run in the third to put Erskine back in front, 2-1. That scoreline remained the same until the sixth inning, when the visitors posted a five-run inning to take their first lead of the day at 6-2. The Fleet made a valiant comeback effort, starting with a sacrifice fly from Summer Nelson in the sixth and another Burroughs big fly in the seventh. After the home run, Rabon and Kennedy Crouch each delivered two-out singles to bring the winning run to the plate, but Erskine could not complete the comeback.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine steps out of conference play to host Newberry College (18-21, 8-6 SAC) for a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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