Pioneer Softball splits with East Georgia

Spartanburg, SC:

SMC Softball opened faced East Georgia State College today in the Pioneers home opener. The Lady Pioneers split with the Bobcats winning game one 4-3 and losing game two 6-4. 

Game one: SMC 4- EGC-3

East Georgia (2-3) scored in the first inning with three consecutive hits off of starter Emily Kale (Shelby, NC). The Pioneers (4-3) quickly responded in the bottom of the first with three runs off the Bobcats. Hannah Knight (Buford, NC) singled to lead off the inning and advanced to second base after a Kolby Harrison (Greenville, SC) sac bunt. Knight scored on Kelli Shealy's double to left field. Caroline Hill (Inman, SC) walked and Logan Wade (Union, SC) reached on a fielders choice. With two outs, Bre Cuff doubled tow left driving in Hill and Wade. 

Carson O'Donald (Greenville, SC) came on to pitch for Kale in the 4th inning with the score tied 3-3.  O'Donald sat down 11 of the next 15 Bobcat hitters as the Pioneers left five runners in scoring position over the middle frames of the game.

With the scored still tied 3-3 and two outs, Shealy (2-2), reached first on a four pitch base on balls (2) to set the stage for Hill's 0-2 pitch walk off double to left field. 

O'Donald improved to 3-0 on the year

Game two: EGC- 6- SMC 4

East Georgia took advantage of three walks and an error in the top of the first and scored five runs off of SMC starter Shannan Mas (Matthews, NC). Carson O'donald relieved Mas in the first inning and worked five innings of three hit relief allowing one run with four strikeouts. Sophomore Taylor Carpenter threw the final two innings allowing only one hit. 

Logan Wade doubled to lead off the second inning and Cassidy Eudy (Mt. Holly, NC) singled to score Wade. The Pioneers picked up three runs in the sixth but left bases loaded. O'Donald drove in Caroline Hill and Bre Cuff with a double to left field. O'Donald scored on a infield error to make the score 6-4. East Georgia got out of the jam and retired the Pioneers in order in the seventh. 

SMC (4-4) will return to action on Sunday as they host patrick Henry Community College (1-1) from Martinsville, Virginia