Pioneer Softball Takes Two from Pikeville

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Spartanburg Methodist College swept a doubleheader from the University of Pikeville on Friday afternoon. The Pioneers (6-4) took the two games, 8-2 (game one) and 6-4 (game 2).

Game one saw SMC erase a 2-0 deficit to score the next eight runs on its way to the win. In the win, the Pioneers pounded out 11 hits with three from McKensleigh Parnell to lead the attack. She had RBI singles in the second and fifth inning. Leadoff batter Jacie Ross had three RBI, plus Adriana Stump-Frias and Carson McCowan each had two hits in the win.

SMC starting pitcher Bailey Kiser went the distance, striking out six and scattering five hits for the win to raise her record to 3-2 on the season.

With the game tied at 2 in the fifth, SMC plated five runs on six hits with a two-RBI single by Ross, a RBI double by Maddie Handy and RBI singles by Parnell and Alex Stuckey. Kiser struck out two of her final three batters on her way to the win.

The nightcap saw SMC plate a run in the third and in the sixth to break a 4-4 tie on its way to a 6-4 win. Gracie Starnes led the Pioneers with three hits as the offense racked up 12 hits in the win. She also scored three runs in the win, plus Stump-Frias had two of the five RBI for SMC.

Not to be overshadowed by the offense was the effort of reliever Kyla Quiles, who pitched the final 5.1 innings and allowed just three hits and struck out five for the win.

A RBI single by Parnell in the third scored Handy and a RBI groundout by Stump-Frias proved to be the difference.

Next, SMC will travel to Milligan on Thursday, Feb. 20 for a doubleheader at 2 p.m. The two teams split a twinbill at Spartanburg on Thursday, Feb. 6.