Pioneers Sweep TWU to End Home Schedule

The Spartanburg Methodist College softball team swept a doubleheader with a pair of come-from-behind victories, defeating the Bulldogs 4-3 in game one and 2-1 in game two.

The Pioneers (28-15, 11-13 AAC) trailed 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning of game one before rallying for three runs to take the lead. The first three batters reached base to open the frame, and a walk by Jacie Ross trimmed the deficit to 3-2. Mckensleigh Parnell followed with a two-RBI single, scoring Saleena Rollins and Carson McCowan to put SMC ahead for good.

Parnell was one of six Pioneers to record a hit, while McCowan led the offense with two hits in a seven-hit performance. In the circle, Bailey Kiser struck out four and earned her 16th complete game, improving to 16-6 on the season.

In game two, SMC rallied again to secure the sweep with a 2-1 win. The teams were scoreless through three innings before TWU broke through with a run in the fourth to take a 1-0 lead.

The Pioneers put pressure on the defense early, placing at least one runner on base in each of the first five innings, but did not break through until the sixth. Gracie Starnes led off the inning with a single up the middle and stole second. After a walk to Maddie Handy, Adriana Stump-Frias advanced the runners with a deep fly ball, setting up Carson McCowan, who delivered a sacrifice fly to tie the game as Starnes scored and Handy moved to third.

One out later, Grace Thomas came through with the go-ahead RBI, lining a single up the middle to score Handy from third.

With a one-run lead in the seventh, Handy returned to the circle and closed out the game with two strikeouts and a popout to complete the sweep.

Thomas led the offense in game two with two of SMC's six hits. Handy earned the win in the circle, striking out a season-high six to improve to 7-5.

SMC will close out the regular season with a road doubleheader at CIU on Thursday, April 16 at 4 p.m.