CLINTON, S.C. – Twenty percent of the Presbyterian College softball team's season-starting 10-game homestand is complete, as the Blue Hose kicked off the 2025 campaign on Friday evening with a 6-4 victory over Morehead State and a 10-2 setback in six innings versus Northern Kentucky.

The Blue Hose downed MSU for the second straight time after run-ruling the Eagles 12 months ago, ending the two-parter with 11 hits and two dingers from the returning Blair Darby.

PC hits the field again in under 24 hours with a couple more outings in a loaded February schedule, battling George Washington for the first time ever at approximately 2:30. From there, they'll enact the rematch with the Norse at 4:45.


 
NOTABLES
 
- Darby's two home runs from the DP spot were a welcome sight for head coach David Williams and his staff, who were unable to use the Spartanburg native in 2024 due to a preseason injury. She emerged from that long slumber with three runs scored and three RBI in Friday's double-header.

- Freshman pitcher Grace Kelley made quite the impression in her Presbyterian debut against Morehead, relieving starter Peyton Duncan and throwing 2.2 innings of one-run ball to be credited with a save.

- Five different PC players notched at least one RBI in the two-run W over MSU, the same game where the Scotsmen stuffed five scores into the very first frame.

- All three of Darby's hits in the DH were of the extra-base variety, as the Blue Hose found four different ways to score in the triumph against the Eagles.


 
GAME ONE – PC def. MOREHEAD STATE, 6-4
 
- Presby scored enough runs to fill a quintet as they punched Morehead early, with preseason All-Big South prospect Kasey Wolfe scoring the first run of '25 via sacrifice fly.

- After a double by Darby made it 2-0 PC, senior Mallory Fletcher drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to a trio.

- Gracie DeCuir (another Blue Hose who was slowed a tad by injuries last spring) threatened a Presbyterian blowout with a two-run laser that beefed up the count to five-zip.

- Morehead rebounded in the top of the 4^th by landing a three-spot to halt PC's momentum, although that early blister was enough for the home side to come away with the win.

- Following a run-scoring base hit by the Eagles in the 6^th that started to cast some doubt on the outcome, senior Kendall Owens gave her crew some insurance by driving in lead-off shortstop Baxleigh Arnette who ended her college debut by scoring the game's last run.

- Duncan tossed 4.1 innings in what turned out to be her 10^th personal win in a Blue Hose uniform. Kelley offered an exciting glimpse into the team's bullpen future by striking out three as the game got tense late.


 
GAME TWO – NORTHERN KENTUCKY def. PC, 10-2 (6)
 
- PC was dealt a twist of fate in round two after downing their OVC counterpart, falling behind by eight as the Norse scored three runs in two separate innings.

- Darby was able to extend the contest a bit with her 4^th and 6^th-inning homers, the first time in her abbreviated career clearing the fence twice in one outing.

- Wolfe, Kelley, and rookie Kayla Roberts shared time in the circle as Presby came up short in their bid for a Friday sweep.