CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College softball team outlasted their Palmetto rivals from Charleston Southern on Friday evening, taking a 7-5 decision in Game One of an important Big South Conference series.
PC overcame a feisty Buccaneer opponent largely due to the strength of infielder
Audrey Burton, who laced a three-run homer in the first inning that was ultimately the biggest play of the contest.
The Scotsmen broke a five-all tie with two runs in the home-half of the sixth, sending them one step closer to their first postseason appearance in four years. After
Avery Robinson pitched the first five innings, senior
Peyton Duncan sat down six of CSU's last seven batters to seal the deal.
Tomorrow will signal the final day of softball at PC's home venue this season, wrapping up the series with a 1:00 doubleheader. Duncan,
Molly Mattas,
Maddi Wood,
Gracie DeCuir,
Morgan Farthing, and
Blair Darby will all be recognized in a pregame Senior Day ceremony.
Both games of the two-parter will be streamed live on ESPN+. A hypothetical sweep over the Buccaneers would cement PC's ticket to the conference bracket next month.
FINAL SCORE: Presbyterian, 7 – Charleston Southern, 5
RECORDS: Presbyterian (18-26, 6-7) | Charleston Southern (7-37, 2-11)
LOCATION: PC Softball Complex
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Eight of the twelve total runs came in during the first two stanzas, with Burton erasing an early hole on her third longball of the year.
- The visitors managed a two-spot in their next turn to bring things to a 3-3 stalemate, but PC quickly regained the advantage with a
Baxleigh Arnette RBI single and the first career triple by reigning Big South Player of the Week
Hali Duke.
- Charleston Southern once again drew the game to a tie with a two-run swing in the 5
th, but PC ended on top after a CSU error cost them dearly. Mattas reached on her seventh career double, and she would then score with ease on a DeCuir bunt plus a woefully high throw from third.
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Avery Fielden then gave the Blue Hose some insurance with her seventh RBI of the season, settling the final tally at 7-5.
- Duncan induced two pop-ups to foul territory as the Bucs had the tying run at the plate, caught by Duke and a sprinting Burton to slam the door.
