ROCK HILL, S.C. – Every run from both teams was submitted in the first inning as the Presbyterian College softball team was bested by Winthrop in Big South action Friday afternoon, ending on the wrong side of a 4-2 result.
A first-frame grand slam by the Eagles was ultimately the game-winner less than 20 minutes in, as dueling pitchers
Peyton Duncan and Megan Powell each threw six consecutive scoreless innings from that point forward.
The Blue Hose stayed feisty on the offensive end after falling behind early, but stranded nine runners throughout the course of the game (including two in the 7
th).
Now at 20-25 and 3-10 in conference competition, Presbyterian hopes to regroup in under 24 hours for a doubleheader as the series continues. First pitch on Saturday is labeled for 12:00 PM.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Freshman shortstop
Baxleigh Arnette started things off with a base hit, followed by one of two stolen bases on the day which brings her season total up to 25 thefts. That steal allowed her to come home on an RBI-single by senior
Kendall Owens, her 26
th run-batted-in this spring.
- Rightfielder
Mallory Fletcher kept up the strong beginning with a run-scoring double to plate Owens, giving the visitors a 2-0 cushion. That was her 15
th extra-base swing of the calendar, and she'd follow that up with a single later in the outing.
- PC's good graces were damaged in the bottom of the 1
st as Winthrop's Tia Beckham produced a grand slam that gave the Eagles the lead in one blink.
- That was it in terms of scoring for both clubs, as Duncan and Powell went blow-for-blow for the remainder of Friday's fracas.
- Duncan stayed in the circle for every at-bat for the 12
th time this year, settling in nicely and keeping the deficit manageable the rest of the way. Winthrop again benefitted from a bases-loaded situation in the 2
nd, although the junior shut that down by forcing a fly ball for out number three.
- She'd strike out five overall as the Blue Hose played an error-free game, although they'd leave at least one runner on base in each inning and stranded four in their last two chances.
