SMC Softball Sweeps Carolina Doubleheader, Extends Win Streak to Four

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Spartanburg Methodist College softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader against Carolina on Saturday afternoon, winning game one 10-2 in five innings and taking game two by an 8-3 margin.

SMC (20-5) extended its winning streak to four games with the sweep and improved to 10-3 at home.

In game one, SMC broke a 2-2 tie by scoring the final eight runs en route to a 10-2, five-inning victory. The Pioneers plated five runs in a decisive fourth inning. Offensively, SMC tallied 10 hits, with four different players recording multiple hits.

Among them were Gracie Starnes, who drove in four runs, and Adriana Stump-Frias, who added three RBIs. Stump-Frias delivered a two-RBI single in the fourth inning to give the Pioneers the lead for good.

In the circle, Bailey Kiser held the Bruins to four hits and struck out four, improving her record to 10-3.

In game two, Lauren Ballew led a nine-hit effort as the Pioneers completed the sweep with an 8-3 win. Jacie Ross also contributed with two hits and scored twice.

Ballew recorded RBI doubles in each of the first two innings as SMC raced out to a 5-0 lead through three innings. Carolina scored an unearned run in the fourth, but the Pioneers answered with three runs in the fifth. The Bruins added two runs in the top of the sixth to account for the final margin.

Kyla Quiles earned the win in the circle, pitching five innings while allowing three hits and one unearned run. She also struck out five to improve her record to 3-1.

SMC returns to Appalachian Athletic Conference play on Sunday with a doubleheader at Milligan beginning at 2 p.m.