CLINTON, S.C. – A four-run second inning from visiting Valparaiso proved to be the difference-maker in the Presbyterian College softball team's narrow Friday night loss during day one of the Scotsman Invitational, ending with a 4-3 tally to snap PC's four-game winning streak.

The Blue Hose defense settled in after the stumbling start, conceding just two Beacon hits over the final five innings as sophomore pitcher Kasey Wolfe struck out six in relief.

Rightfielder Mallory Fletcher cranked her second homer of the young season and the sixth of her PC career to swiftly cut a four-run hole in half, leading to a Gracie DeCuir RBI double in the seventh that suddenly made Valpo sweat.

However, a strikeout with a runner on second signaled the end of the night, the sixth game of Presby's season decided by two runs or less and their fifth consecutive outing where the final tally was three or fewer.

Head coach David Williams' squad returns to the field in less than 24 hours, playing a pair with Monmouth and Cleveland State. They'll meet the Hawks at approximately 2:30 as their 12-game homestand rages on.


 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
- PC's 4-0 hole in the early going was the team's largest deficit in 30 innings (dating back two weeks), although Fletcher's two-run longball in the bottom of the 4^th rapidly changed the complexion of the contest.

- Wolfe started off that inning with a free pass to first on a walk, leading to the lone home run of the evening from one of Presbyterian's four seniors.

- The Beacons were silenced after their 2^nd-inning flurry, held to a 1-2-3 sequence by Wolfe and co. in the 3^rd, 6^th, and 7^th.

- DeCuir made the most of PC's last chance as she stepped into the box with two outs, bringing home pinch runner Sabrina Rose who herself got to second-base with a Blair Darby double.

- In the end, reliever Erin Metz shut the door on what turned out to be a save on her part, striking out seven of the 12 batters that she faced.