Softball sweeps Salkehatchie, finishes 16-0 in Region play

SPARTANBURG, SC.,  SMC Softball completed a four game sweep over USC Salkehatchie this weekend and finished Region X play undefeated at 16-0. SMC won two games on Saturday at USC Salkehatchie (13-0 and 12-5) and picked up two wins on Sophomore Day (3-2 and 9-0). The Pioneers improve to 49-7 on the year. 

GAME ONE- SMC 13-  SALK- 0

Bailey Pearson (15-2) tossed a complete game four hit shutout and struck out seven, she also went 2-4 with 2 runs batted in. SMC had 17 hits in the first game, Maddy Labrador went 3-4 with 3 runs scored, Leslie Altman also went 3-4 with 2 runs and 2 rbi. Maddie Ward was 2-4 with 2 rbi as well. 

GAME TWO- SMC 12   SALK- 5

Teagan Crosby worked four innings and  improved to 10-0 on the season and Bailey Pearson closed out the final three frames to secure the Pioneer win. SMC pounded out 16 more hits in the game with Pearson going 3-4 with tw rbi. Mary Hart, Brooke Palmer, and Kayla Price all hit home runs. Olivia Dunlap went 2-4 with three runs scored and Natassja Hatcher went 2-4. 

GAME THREE- SMC 3   SALK- 2

SMC honored eleven sophomores before the start of the double header. Olivia O'Neal, Morgan Howard, Kaleigh Busbee, Mary Hart, Eliza Long, Leslie Altman, Bailey Pearson, Morgan Smith, Maddy Labrador, Maddie Ward, and Kayle Freeman. 

Salkehatchie took a 2-0 lead in the second inning and held SMC to only three hits until the bottom of the sixth inning. Mary Hart reached on an error, stole second and advanced to third on Bailey Pearson's deep fly ball, she scored on Leslie Altman's fielder choice. Olivia Dunlap stole second and scored on Kaleigh Busbee's double to center field. Morgan Smith then doubled to drive in pinch runner Lindsey Mason for the go ahead run. Kaylee Freeman (14-2) (7IP- 5k's) earned the win in relief of Eliza Long who threw the first two pitches of the game. Long has not thrown this season due to an arm injury but got the start on Sophomore Day. 

GAME FOUR-- SMC 9   SALK- 0  

Freshman Kayla Price tossed a complete game two hit shutout and improved to 10-2 on the season, Maddy Labrador (2B), Breanna Hagerty (2B), Lindsey Mason, and Natassja Hatcher (2B, 2rbi) all had hits for the Pioneers who took advantage of five walks in the first inning to help score six runs. 

SMC will host #14-Walters State Community College on Wednesday afternoon. The Pioneers will also host the 2016 Region X Tournament April 22-24. SMC earned the number one seed in the tourney will play on Friday at 3:00pm against the winner of Pitt CC and USC Salkehatchie.