CLINTON, S.C. – Taking it right to arch-rival USC Upstate (who currently resides in the top spot in the seven-team Big South Conference), the Presbyterian College softball team's 7th-inning comeback bid fell two runs short of completion on Friday night in Game 1 against the Spartans, resulting in a 4-2 final decision.
The Blue Hose performed well despite the outcome against an opponent who ultimately grabbed their fifth consecutive victory, nearly knocking that streak to the curb by lining up 11 hits from seven different players.
Additionally, the pitching tandem of Jenna Greene and Kasey Wolfe were able to mostly hold the Spartans and their high-powered offense in check, forcing their SC enemies into 10 stranded runners.
Unfortunately for the Scotsmen, nine runners of their own were similarly left alone which made for a low-scoring tune on an exceptionally windy evening.
With one-third of PC's final home series in the bin, the rest of the league set will take place on Saturday as the Blue Hose celebrate Senior Day with a 1:00 PM doubleheader. All 14 innings of the twinbill will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.
USC UPSTATE (20-15, 8-2) def. PRESBYTERIAN (14-27, 4-6) – 4-2
- As the board displayed a one-all deadlock in the top of the 4th thanks to a clutch RBI double by catcher-turned-leftfielder Logan Grice two frames earlier, USC Upstate acquired some distance with a three-spot that featured eight at-bats in that inning.
- While second-baseman Kaitlyn Tucker was able to begin an eleventh-hour rally by producing a run-scoring double that brought home lead-off hitter Kelby Goodrum, the Spartans remained level-headed and pulled out the two-score duel with two strikeouts in a sequence of three at-bats.
- Just one of the numerous school-records that she already possesses, Greene made her 100th career start in a PC uniform on Friday which surpasses Leslie Hensley (2009-12) for the most among any Blue Hose pitcher in history.
- Additionally, Greene inched closer to another never-before-seen statistic from a Presby player by now needing just two more strikeouts to reach 700 across an astounding five-year tenure. She currently ranks eighth in Big South history with 698 K's, still seeing at least 11 more games in her collegiate career.
- Three competitors for head coach David Williams' squad logged at least two hits against Spartan Sierra Maness (who tossed a complete game), none more efficient than shortstop Emma Yanes who offered up a personal-best 3-for-3 day at the plate.
- Presbyterian and Upstate combined for five extra-base swings in round one of the always-intense affair. Although holding the lead, the visitors were unable to figure out Wolfe's two innings of relief as the rookie didn't let a single hit get by.
UP NEXT
- PC will honor Kaitlyn Tucker, Jillian Hewes, Bailey Watkins, and Kara Starnes prior to first pitch of the DH in less than 24 hours, recognizing a senior class that has collected 92 overall wins since their arrival in 2021.
- Saturday will also be Greene's farewell from the PC Softball Complex, finishing out her fifth and final regular season with nine straight road outings once tomorrow's two-parter is through.
