Softball Opens Season 0-4 At GPC Tourney

COVINGTON, GA -- The Lady Pioneers opened their season 0-4 on the road at the Georgia Perimeter College Tournament this weekend, with close losses against top-ranked teams.

Despite strong play in its earlier games, SMC was shutout 11-0 Saturday evening by No. 4-ranked Wallace State-Hanceville.

"No one wants to lose four games in a row. But competing against four of the best teams in the country is a great opportunity for us ," says head SMC softball coach Thad Fox.

The Lady Pioneers lost 9-5 earlier Saturday afternoon to Tallahassee Community College.

Sophomore Leah Babson (Stratford HS) hit two homeruns in that game, while freshman Maddie Sharpe (White Knoll HS) had a two-RBI double.

SMC led off the tournament Friday with a 3-2 loss to No. 13 Georgia Perimeter.

Babson hit a RBI triple to drive in freshman Lauren Eastwood (Hanahan HS). Sophomore Kelsey Pruitt followed that up in the bottom of the fourth inning to drive in Babson and put the Lady Pioneers ahead 2-1.

Freshman pitcher Alison Ruppe started and threw for five innings, allowing only two runs. Freshman Bailey Smith (Crest HS) pitched five striekouts in the remaining 2 and 2/3 innings, taking the loss in the eighth inning in an international tiebreaker.

The Lady Pioneers continued to battle hard throughout the afternoon, but took a 6-5 loss to No. 1 Miami Dade Community College.

SMC's bats came to life in a 12-hit game.

Freshman Morgan Cox (Hillcrest HS) scored two runs, with two stolen bases and two RBIs for the Lady Pioneers.

Adding to SMC's hitting were freshman Jennifer Bonham (Nations Ford HS), with two hits; Leah Babson, with three hits and three RBIs; and Lauren Eastwood, with two hits.

Sophomore pitcher Ashira Dobison threw 6 and 1/3 innings for the Lady Pioneers, allowing five runs.

Pitcher Bailey Smith allowed one run in the remaining 2/3 inning.

"Losing to the No. 1 team in the country and defending national champions by a run is very positive. We hit the ball very well and played an outstanding defense. We have to correct small mistakes to limit the other teams' opportunities. All these games against ranked teams is only going to help us in Region X play and our quest for Utah," adds Fox.

Spartanburg Methodist College has 14 intercollegiate teams that compete in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association, which includes colleges in the Carolinas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The College is in its 100th academic year of providing a quality education to students in a Christian environment. More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.
 
For more information please contact athletic director Mark Perdue at (864) 587-4237.