Montgomery, Ala. – The Presbyterian College softball team split its doubleheader at the Black and Gold Spring Tournament on Friday, defeating Alabama State 8-3 in the second contest following a 10-7 loss to UMKC.
The Blue Hose offense began quickly against the Hornets in the second half of the twinbill, plating a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Each of the first four PC batters reached base on singles. Jonnie Petree and Ansley Wilbanks crossed home on singles from Macy Hyatt and Courtney White. Petree and Wilbanks each picked up a stolen base.
The Blue Hose scoring barrage continued in the second, as three more runs scored. Grace Wallace scored on a walk, White drove home Petree on a sacrifice fly, and Wilbanks crossed on an error.
White provided some insurance with a solo blast over the left field wall with one out in the top of the fourth inning, making the score 6-1. PC would add two more runs in the sixth with both Wilbanks and Hyatt picking up RBI singles.
Alyssa Batastini earned her third win of the season against the Hornets after pitching four innings of relief. She allowed only two hits and collected three strikeouts in the scoreless appearance. Taylor Ward got the start in the circle for PC against Alabama State. She worked three-plus innings and allowed three runs on three hits and three walks.
Earlier in the day against UMKC, the Blue Hose jumped to an early lead with a two-out rally in the top of the third inning. Hyatt brought in Lindsay Harris, who reached base on a fielder's choice. That was followed by White singling up the middle to score Wilbanks, then Hyatt and White touching home on an error.
The Blue Hose grew their lead with a Wilbanks RBI single that plated Chelsea Lyons in the fifth. Casey Gerhard added a pair when she launched a two-run dinger over the wall in left field, giving PC a 7-5 advantage.
Batastini worked the first 3.1 innings in the circle against the Roos, allowing five runs (four earned) on two hits and three walks. Ward took the loss after five unearned runs scored in the bottom of the sixth. She threw 2.1 innings, giving up six hits and a pair of walks. White collected the third out of the sixth inning.
The Blue Hose will be back in action tomorrow at the Black and Gold Spring Tournament with another pair of games. PC is slated to take on Grambling State at 11:00 a.m. EST and then Howard at 4:00 p.m. EST.
