SMC Softball Falls to Bryan in Friday Doubleheader

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Spartanburg Methodist College softball team dropped a doubleheader to Bryan on Friday, falling 2-1 in game one and 4-1 in game two.

The Pioneers (16-5, 1-3 AAC) threatened late in the opener, loading the bases with no outs in the bottom of the seventh. After one out, Jacie Ross delivered an RBI single to score SMC's first run of the day. However, a ball put in play by Lydia Faulk resulted in the tying run being thrown out at the plate, and a flyout ended the comeback bid.

Maria Sialmas led the Pioneers at the plate with two of the team's six hits. In the circle, Maddie Handy suffered her first loss of the season, allowing two runs over 5.2 innings to fall to 5-1.

Bryan was paced by Lily Traylor, who recorded two hits and drove in a pair of runs in the win.

In game two, the Pioneers struck first on a sacrifice fly by Gracie Starnes in the third inning to take a 1-0 lead. Bryan responded with a solo home run by Ava Saul in the sixth to tie the game before plating three runs in the seventh to secure the 4-1 victory.

SMC was held to four hits in the nightcap, with Saleena Rollins accounting for two of them.

Saul led Bryan offensively with three hits, two runs scored, and two RBIs as the Lions totaled 10 hits in the game.

The Pioneers will look to bounce back on Saturday with a doubleheader at Union Commonwealth in Barboursville, Kentucky, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.