DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College softball team (9-21, 7-9 CC) defeated Shorter University (11-30, 5-15 CC) in both games of a doubleheader at the Erskine Softball Complex on Wednesday afternoon.

With the Fleet's 5-2 win in the first game of the day, Erskine head coach Alleen Hawkins earned her 1,000th career win as a collegiate head coach, joining a small group of college softball coaches to reach that historic mark. "It was a lifelong goal and I am so happy to do it at Erskine," Hawkins said.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: Erskine 5-2 Shorter
Returning home for four games over the next two days, the Fleet fell behind early after a first-inning run from the visiting Hawks, who then doubled their lead in the top of the fourth. But, the Erskine offense came to life in the bottom half, starting with a base hit from Gabby Burroughs and a Kennedy Crouch walk. Addy Crawford pinch ran for Burroughs and promptly stole second base before scoring on an RBI single by Kara West to get the Fleet on the board. Ava Rogers pinch ran for Crouch and also swiped second base. She moved to third on the West single, who stole second herself, putting two in scoring position for Emily Brown. And Brown delivered a line drive single through the left side that plated Rogers and West to give the Fleet their first lead of the day, as Erskine ran wild in a three-run frame. Zalee Brown preserved the one-run lead for Erskine and then Crouch launched a leadoff blast in the sixth to provide some insurance. Emily Johnson's RBI double later in the inning extended the Fleet's lead to 5-2, and Kinsley Kay came on to get the save, retiring Shorter in order to seal the win and a historic achievement for Head Coach Alleen Hawkins.

Game 2: Erskine 3-1 Shorter
Heading into the game two, the Fleet set their sights on a second consecutive sweep, and this time scored first in the contest, thanks to a second-inning passed ball that allowed Addy Crawford to score the game's first run. Shorter tied the game in the fourth, but starting pitcher Layla Clayton kept the Hawks at bay outside of that one swing throughout her six innings of work in the circle. In the fifth inning, the Fleet broke through again to regain their lead. Hannah Lewis and Gabby Burroughs got the rally started with one-out singles, and a wild pitch along with an Anslea Aaron stolen base put two in scoring position for Kennedy Crouch, who delivered again, this time with a line drive single into right center field that scored both runners, putting the Fleet in front, 3-1. Clayton handed the ball off to Mallory Ruzicka for the seventh inning, and she set down the Hawks in order to put the finishing touches on a memorable sweep.

THE PLAYER
The day belonged to Head Coach Alleen Hawkins, who reached 1,000 career wins as a head coach, but sophomore first baseman Kennedy Crouch provided the key plays that helped the Fleet to a couple wins on Wednesday. Crouch went 3-for-5 combined at the plate, including a solo home run in Game 1, her first big fly of the season, and a game-winning two-run single in the fifth inning of Game 2.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine turns around to host Southern Wesleyan University (23-11, 11-4 CC) on Thursday at 4 p.m.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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