Pioneer Softball splits at Columbia College

COLUMBIA, SC- Lady Pioneer Softball traveled to face Columbia College (four year school) on Tuesday night for a non-region double header. The Pioneers took game one 8-2 and fell 6-0 in the nightcap for their first loss on the year. 

GAME ONE: Both teams bats were quiet until the the Pioneers exploded for eight runs in the top of the fifth inning. Kaleigh Busbee (North Augusta, SC/North Augusta High) singled to center field to begin the inning, Mary Hart (Harrisburg, NC/Hickory Ridge High), Kolby Harrison (Simpsonville, SC/J.L. Mann High), and Caroline Hill all singled. Leslie Altman reached first after being hit by a pitch. Carson O' Donald (Inman, SC/Chapman High) walked, Morgan Smith (Greenville, SC/J.L. Mann High) doubled to drive in two runs. Chandler Cook (Hampton, SC/Thomas Heyward Academy) added a sacrifice fly to deep right scoring O'Donald. Busbee drove in pinch runner Maddie Ward (Gaffney, SC/Gaffney High)with her second single of the inning. 

O'Donald earned her third win of the year by working six innings and striking out five hitters. Kaylee Freeman (Concord, NC/Central Cabarrus) threw a perfect seventh inning striking out all three Koala hitters. 

GAME TWO: Columbia College and junior pitcher Erin Walker handed  the Pioneers their first loss on the young season. Walker stymied the Pioneer bats holding them to just six hits while striking out nine. Freshman shortstop Mary Hart had three hits (3-4 2B) for SMC while Morgan Smith added two hits. 

Bailey Pearson worked two innings allowing one unearned run, Kaylee Freeman worked two innings giving up two runs and striking out three. Freshman Eliza Long worked the final two frames (2IP, 3K's, 3R 2 ER)

SMC will travel to Chattanooga, Tennesse Thursday for a round robin tournament of high profile NJCAA programs. The Pioneers (7-1) will face off with Georgia Highlands (4-0) on Friday at 2:00pm and Lake Land Community College (7-0) out of Illinois at 6:00pm. Saturday SMC will face 14th ranked Southern Union Community College (9-0) at 1:00pm and host 4th ranked Chattanooga State (6-0) at 5:00pm.