CLINTON, S.C. ? The
Presbyterian College softball team was unable to overcome a three-run third
inning against Coastal Carolina Sunday afternoon, falling by a 4-2 count to the
visitors.
The Blue Hose now stand at 18-22 overall and 5-10 in Big South Conference play. The
Chanticleers improve to 14-29 overall and 4-8 against league competition.
PC jumped
on top in the bottom of the first. With one away, Krysten Handy earned a walk.
She promptly swiped second and moved to third on Brittany Howell's groundout.
Rachel Parker was able to slap one back up the middle for a 1-0 lead for head
coach Dave Majeski's squad.
Starting
pitcher Mary Gordon was able to work out of a one-out bases loaded jam in the
top of the second, giving up just one run. With the bases juiced, she was able
to force a pop-up and a strike out to end the threat.
In the
third, the Chanticleers broke open the contest as Morgan Dodd belted a
three-run homer to right center field for a 4-1 advantage.
PC nearly
cut the deficit to two in the bottom half of the stanza. Erin Stewart walked to
lead off the inning. Becca Caldwell pinch ran for her. Caldwell swiped second and moved to third on
Amanda Miller's sacrifice bunt. She was thrown out on Krysten Handy's fielder's
choice that went right back to the pitcher.
The Blue
Hose had a runner in scoring position in the fourth as well, but the squad
could not chip into the lead.
In the
sixth, Howell singled up the middle with one away. She stole second and scored
on Kayla Handy's double to right center field. With two away, Leslie Hensley
singled and Kayla Handy was thrown out at home by the left fielder, ending the
inning.
In the
seventh, Stephanie Payne singled to the shortstop with nobody out. She moved to
second with just one away. However, neither Stewart or Miller was able to keep
the rally alive as the game concluded with a 4-2 score.
Gordon went
three innings, taking the loss. She gave up four runs on five hits and now
stands at 6-14 on the season. Howell came in to pitch the final four frames.
She gave up just three hits and a walk while striking out four.
The Blue
Hose return to action on Wednesday when they host Furman in a non-conference
doubleheader. The doubleheader marks the last two home games for PC this
season.
