HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - Down just one run in the bottom of the seventh inning, senior infielder Ashlyn Alte delivered the game-winning, walk-off double to right center to lift USCB softball to a non-conference split, 5-2 and 5-4, with Lees-McRae on Monday afternoon at Richard Gray Stadium.
INSIDE THE GAME ONE BOX SCORE
Daryn Miller - 2-for-3, one RBI, one run
Jazmin Ramirez - 1-for-3, one run
Emily Williams - 3.1 innings, four runs, one strikeout, four hits
Cierra Kinlaw - 3.2 innings, three hits, one run, three strikeouts, one walk
HOW GAME ONE HAPPENED
The first inning featured offense from both teams, but LMC saw itself ahead by one, 2-1. After letting up two in the top of the first, Jaci Coleman plated the lone Sand Shark run in the first thanks to a Bobcat fielding error.
After having chances to score in both the second and third innings, USCB added a run in the fourth, but not before the Bobcats tacked on insurance runs in the top of the same frame.
The Sand Sharks found more momentum in the fifth inning with putting two runners on base in the inning. However, they left both stranded, as USCB was down 5-2.
The final two innings featured minimal offense for USCB, as the Bobcats saw out the three-run win.
INSIDE THE GAME TWO BOX SCORE
Ashlyn Alte - 2-for-4, game-winning double, three RBIs
Coleman - 2-for-4, two singles, three runs
Mackenzie Freeman - 2-for-3, two singles, on RBI
Taylor VanHouse - 1-for-2, single, two runs
Reghan Steifle - four innings, five hits, three runs, one strikeout
Caitlin Toole - three innings, four hits, one run, no walks, one strikeout
HOW GAME TWO HAPPENED
The second game was a see-saw battle for the first five innings, as both ball clubs scored in two frames during that stretch.
USCB had the lead twice, first and third innings, but LMC also posted a lead in the second frame. In the first inning, Freeman poked a run-scoring single, while in the third, VanHouse touched home thanks to an error and Coleman later scored on a RBI groundout from Alte.
Tied 3-3 after five complete, the Bobcats retook the lead in the sixth with a solo run.
After being held scoreless in the sixth, USCB was able to find momentum again and eventually walked off over the Bobcats. VanHouse started the rally with a one-out walk, and with two outs, Coleman connected with a single to right center and advanced to second on the throw to put two Sand Sharks in scoring position. Alte wasted little time, as she blasted the game-winning, extra-base hit to right center to lift the Sand Sharks to victory, 5-4.
RECORDS UPDATE
USCB - 6-13 overall
Lees-McRae - 10-6 overall
WHAT'S NEXT?
USCB will make another quick turnaround with another non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, as the Sand Sharks welcome Reinhardt to Richard Gray Stadium. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
