AIKEN, S.C. – Freshman Megan Lake’s
double in the sixth of game two gave a jumpstart for a six-run
USC Aiken (22-9, 3-7 PBC) inning, defeating Armstrong Atlantic
State (28-15, 7-3 PBC) 8-4, after dropping game one 6-5, Tuesday
night at J.H. Satcher Field. The win gives USC Aiken its first
home Peach Belt win of the season and hands the Lady Pirates
their first conference loss since March 1.Armstrong Atlantic got ahead first with a double from Ashley Bain, who sent in the Jeana Short RBI for the early 1-0 lead.
The Lady Pacers answered right back with a stellar right field home run from junior Ashley Dyches, her first on the season. After Megan Lakes and Jessica Strickland got on base, strong-armed Keshia Venable stepped up to the plate and smashed the second home run of the game, her sixth of the season, to bring in three more RBI and put USCA on top 5-1.
After the five-run inning, the Lady Pirates brought in relief Rachel Koening-Eng to replace Courtney Tucker. Koening-Eng pitched the remaining five-and-one-third innings and held the Lady Pacers hitless and walked just one batter.
With the score tied 5-5, the Lady Pirates got their chance for the score after Deanna Beaty doubled through the left side and was sent home off an error the throw from catcher to right field, in attempt to pick off the third out. The run held through for AASU to give them the 6-5 victory.
Junior Samantha Blair pitched all seven for the Lady Pacers and threw just two strike outs, well shy of her average, gave up seven hits and two earned runs.
In game two, the first four innings went by without any runs for either team until AASU was able to strike first in the fifth after Kacey Morrison reached on an error by shortstop Sarah Harvey. Morrison stole second and went on to score off Amber Hunt’s single to center field, for the RBI and the 1-0 lead.
USC Aiken, however, came right back in their own fourth inning with a tremendous six-run showing, jump started by the double from Lakes. Pinch-hitter Tiara Johnson smacked a double right behind Lakes, and sent her home for the score, putting the Lady Pacers up 3-1.
Floyd came back in for Johnson to run and was sent home with quick feet and a single from Keshia Venable. Down 4-1, the Lady Pirates were forced to bring back in Koening-Eng, who was not able to shut down USC Aiken the second time around. After going up 6-1 at the end of the fifth, Koening-Eng allowed to more earned runs from Temeka Floyd and Jessica Strickland, giving USCA the final 8-4 win.
Stacie Oakley led the Lady Pacers on the mound, striking out nine and giving up six hits and three earned runs.
The Lady Pacers will travel to inter-state rival USC Upstate on Thursday, March 30, to face the Lady Spartans at 4:00 p.m.