Seventh-Seeded Pacers Upset Second-Seeded Jaguars in First Round of PBC Softball Tournament
FLORENCE, S.C. – A big four-run inning in the top of the
fourth inning helped lift the seventh-seeded USC Aiken softball
team to victory over nationally-ranked and second-seeded Augusta
State in the first round of 2010 Peach Belt Conference Softball
Tournament Friday, Apr. 16 at Freedom Florence Recreation Complex.
The Pacers were able to upset the nationally-ranked Jaguars in
their fifth meeting of the season on the softball diamond 5-4
behind eight hits and four Augusta State errors.
Augusta State moves to 37-14 overall with the loss and will
continue play in the losers bracket of the tournament this
afternoon. Augusta State is next slated to face-off against
sixth-seeded UNC Pembroke.
USC Aiken moves back to .500 on the season with the victory at
21-21 overall and will play third-seeded Francis Marion in its next
game on Friday.
The Pacers got things started off quickly in the first inning as
second team PBC All-Conference player Lauren Locklear crossed the
plate first to score off the bat of Blair Warren (Darlington,
S.C./Florence-Darlington Tech) who singled to right field. Locklear
(Charleston, S.C./Wando) had reached base earlier on an error by
the second baseman and advanced into scoring position off a single
up the middle by second team All-PBC designated player Kelley King
(Chesterfield, S.C./Chesterfield).
USC Aiken extended the lead to five in the top of the fourth inning
off three hits and two Augusta State errors. Lindsey Jones (North
Augusta, S.C./North Augusta) crossed the dish first and was
followed across the plate by Whitney Clary (Newberry, S.C./Newberry
HS) when Brandy Bossle (North East, Md/Rising Sun) singled to left
field. Jones had reached base on an error by the Augusta State
third baseman and advanced to second when Clary reached safely on
an error by the centerfielder.
After Augusta State made a pitching change putting Kimberly Kennedy
in the circle for Sara DeMuth, Locklear drove Bossle home with a
double down the right field line before being driven in by a triple
by King to put the Pacers up 5-0.
Augusta State got three runs back in the bottom of the sixth inning
when Leann Barber sent a three-run home run over the left field
fence to bring the Jaguars within two of the Pacers setting the
score at 5-3.
The Jaguars pulled within one in the bottom of the seventh inning
when Tricia Barber crossed the plate off a single by Laura Brown,
but it would not be enough as the Pacer defense remained resilient
and was able to close the deal.
Locklear, King, and Warren all led the Pacers at the plate going
2-for-4 and one RBI apiece. Locklear added two runs in the
victory.
First team All-PBC pitcher DeMuth took the loss for Augusta State
falling to 15-7 for the season.
First team All-Conference player Toni Flessate (Goose Creek,
S.C./Stratford) earned the win in the circle for USC Aiken pitching
all seven innings, fanning four batters. She improves to 13-9 in
the 2010 campaign.
The Pacers will continue play in the double elimination tournament
by taking on the winner of the No. 3 Francis Marion-No. 6 UNC
Pembroke game this evening at 6:30 p.m.
 |  |
