Pioneers Combine Power and Pitching in Opening-Day Sweep

The Spartanburg Methodist College softball team opened its 2026 season with a pair of five-inning wins over Voorhees, 8-0 and 13-4, on Friday.

SMC has now started each of the last two seasons with a doubleheader sweep and put its offensive firepower on display in Friday's victories. In game one, the Pioneers scored eight runs on 11 hits and followed that with a 13-run, seven-hit performance in game two.

Before placing all the praise on the bats, credit must be given to the pitching staff — Bailey Kiser in game one and Kyla Quiles and Kaylin Otey in game two. Kiser allowed just one hit in both the first and fifth innings while striking out nine in a complete-game effort in the season opener. In game two, Otey entered in relief of Quiles and allowed just one hit while striking out four over the final 2.2 innings.

Game one saw SMC score two runs in the second inning and six in the fourth to secure the win. Four different Pioneers — Lydia Faulk, Alex Stuckey, Gracie Starnes, and Maddie Handy — recorded two hits each. Starnes and Stuckey each drove in two runs. Starnes delivered a two-RBI double in the fourth, while Stuckey added RBI singles in both the second and fourth innings.

In game two, newcomer Lauren Ballew collected two of the Pioneers' seven hits, and Josie Smythe launched a grand slam in the first inning to spark the win. SMC scored six runs on just two hits in the opening frame to take an early 6-0 lead. After adding three runs in the second, Voorhees answered with four in the top of the third. The Pioneers responded with four runs in the bottom of the fourth, including a two-RBI single by Kurtlyn Alexander.

SMC will next welcome NCAA Division III member Brevard to Grant Softball Field on Saturday, Feb. 14, for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.