Pacer Softball Falls to Nationally-Ranked Jaguars on Senior Day
AIKEN, S.C. – The USC Aiken softball team dropped a tough conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at J.H. Satcher Field which eerily resembled the pair of non-conference games the Pacers dropped to their nationally ranked rival Augusta State a few weeks ago in Augusta, Ga. The Jaguars claimed the first game of the Pacers’ Senior Day 4-3 in 11 innings off a Jessica Thornton home run and then held on to take the second game 5-1.
Augusta State improves to 37-13 overall and 15-5 in the tough PBC.
USC Aiken falls to 20-21 overall on the 2010 campaign and 9-11 in the PBC.
Before the games, USC Aiken recognized the four seniors on the squad for their achievements over the past few years on the softball diamond. Kathleen Nichols (Orange City, Fla.), Kellie Hair (Aiken, S.C./Aiken Tech), Nikki Sidaway (Wiley Ford, W.Va./Potomac State) and Toni Flessate (Goose Creek, S.C./Stratford) were all recognized in front of the home crowd prior to the games for their career efforts at USC Aiken.
Former Pacer great Jessica Strickland was later recognized between games for her achievement of becoming USC Aiken’s first ever three-time All-American selection in softball. Head Softball Coach Jerry Snyder and USC Aiken Athletic Director Randy Warrick presented Strickland with her third All-American trophy in front of the large home crowd.
The Pacers jumped out to an early lead in the first inning of the first game when Lauren Locklear (Charleston, S.C./Wando) crossed the plate off a single by freshman designated player Kelley King (Chesterfield, S.C./Chesterfield).
USC Aiken was able to extend their lead to two in the bottom of the third inning when leftfielder Brandy Bossle (North East, Md/Rising Sun) scored from first base off a double to deep centerfield by Locklear.
Augusta State claimed the lead in the top of the sixth inning when three Jaguars crossed the plate to set the score at 3-2.
The Pacers would not go quietly into the setting sun, however, as senior Sidaway tied things up for the Pacers in the bottom of the seventh inning off a double through the left side by Bossle.
Neither team could garner the go-ahead run in the first three innings of overtime before Thornton stepped to the plate in the top of the 11th inning. In a situation similar to her game-winning home run a few weeks earlier, Thornton ripped a home run over the left field wall to give the Jaguars the go-ahead run and eventual win.
USC Aiken was led at the plate by sophomore second baseman Whitney Clary and Bossle. Clary (Newberry, S.C./Newberry HS) was 2-for-4 at the dish while Bossle was 2-for-5 with one run.
Sara DeMuth garnered the win in the circle for Jaguars fanning four batters. She improves to 15-6 on the season.
Flessate took the loss for the Pacers in the circle falling to 12-8 on the season.
The second game started off in similar form to the first as the Pacers raced out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Bossle secured the Pacers lone score when Blair Warren (Darlington, S.C./Florence-Darlington Tech) sent a sacrifice bunt to the second baseman.
Augusta State would control the rest of the game from the plate as they tied the game in the top of the third inning and then claimed the lead in the fifth inning. The Jaguars extended that lead in the top of the sixth inning and never looked back as they out-hit the Pacers 12-5.
The freshman duo of Bossle and King led USC Aiken’s bats in game two, with both going 2-for-3. Bossle secured the lone run on the day.
Kimberly Kennedy gained the win in the second game for the Jaguars. She improves to 8-2 for the season.
Flessate took the loss in game two fanning six batters in seven innings of work. She falls to 12-9 for the 2010 season.
The Pacers will now look to the Peach Belt Conference Softball Championship held in Florence, S.C. The PBC Softball Championship will be hosted this season by Francis Marion.
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