TMU and SMC Split a Doubleheader

Vying for a spot in the upcoming Appalachian Athletic Conference Softball Tournament, the Spartanburg Methodist College softball team split a doubleheader with Truett McConnell on Friday, winning game one, 4-3, before falling 8-0 in game two.

With the game tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning of the opener, the Pioneers put runners on first and second for freshman Grace Thomas. She delivered on the first pitch she saw, sending a single up the middle to score a hustling freshman Lauren Ballew from second and secure the walk-off victory.

Earlier in the inning, Ballew sparked the rally with a nine-pitch at-bat that resulted in a single through the left side. After a flyout, she moved into scoring position when junior Maddie Handy followed with a single up the middle, setting the stage for Thomas' game-winning hit.

SMC erased an early 3-0 deficit, scoring twice in the first inning on a two-RBI single by Thomas before tying the game in the third on a solo home run by senior Adriana Stump-Frias.

Thomas, Handy, and Stump-Frias each recorded two hits, with Thomas driving in three runs to lead the offense. In the circle, junior Bailey Kiser earned her 15th win of the season, allowing three unearned runs in the first inning while striking out four.

In game two, Truett McConnell completed the split with an 8-0 shutout in six innings. Elizabeth Bennett limited the Pioneers to just two hits — singles by Alex Stuckey in the first inning and Gracie Starnes in the second.

Spartanburg Methodist College returns to action on Saturday, April 11, hosting Johnson University for a doubleheader at Eva Grant Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.