USC Aiken softball falls in series finale to No. 1 North Georgia
Mar. 3—No. 1 NORTH GEORGIA 11, USC AIKEN 7
The USC Aiken softball team lost an 11-7 decision to No. 1 North Georgia on Sunday in the finale of the teams' three-game series.
The Pacers are now 13-6 on the season, including an 0-3 mark in Peach Belt Conference play.
The Nighthawks scored five runs in the first but USCA fought back in the bottom of the frame. With two down, Austyn Dixon ripped a double to center field. Mallory Shaver followed it up with a double down the left field line, making it 5-1.
USCA threatened to add more as Kate Newberry and Chloe Phillips each walked to load the bases. However, a strikeout ended the threat.
UNG added a run in the second and one in the fourth. In the bottom of the frame, Anna Turner drew a walk but was left stranded. The Nighthawks added four runs in the fifth for an 11-1 edge.
Cameron Greene drew a four-pitch walk to start things off and hustled to third on a pair of wild pitches. Ashlyn White walked on five pitches. Grace Ann Thompkins recorded an infield single to load the bases and Dixon ripped a single up the middle, driving in two.
Abigail Wyatt came in as a pinch runner. A wild pitch pushed each runner up 60 feet. With two down, Madison Rogers drew a walk to load the bases. Turner blasted an offering over the left center field fence for her first career home run — a grand slam- to pull the home team within four at 11-7.
Lakyn Phillips shut down the Nighthawks in the sixth and seventh. However, USCA was unable to push across any more runs.
For the game, Dixon led the way with two hits, including a double. Turner led the way with a grand slam.
In the circle, Lakyn Phillips came in and struck out five batters in relief work.
The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they play Catawba for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
