Posted: Apr 30, 2012
Pioneers fall in title game to Aiken
The Pioneers Softball season came to an end Sunday afternoon with a 8-4 loss to Aiken Tech in the Championship game in Sumter, SC.
SMC took on defending champions Pitt CC on Sunday morning in the loser's bracket finals. The Pioneers rode the arms of Alison Ruppe and Bailey Smith to a 5-2 win.
SMC then took on ATC in the Championship game and had to defeat the Lady Knights twice to win the Region X tourney. SMC jumped all over Aiken 7-1 in the 1:30pm game. Bailey and Chelsea Smith combined for the win. The Pioneer bats were led by Lauren Eastwood, Brooke Barnhill, and Leea Polin along with every starter contributing to the win.
SMC took a 3-1 lead in the final game but the Knights scored six runs in the 4th to take a commanding lead and held on for a 8-4 win. B. Smith and Ruppe combined in the circle for the Pioneers. Eastwood continued her hot tournament hitting as well.
The Pioneers finish the season at 44-11 winning the Region X regular season title, breaking the all time wins record for a season at SMC and giving Coach Fox his 100th win in three years as head coach at SMC (100-45).
"I want to thank everyone for all of their support here at SMC. I also want to thank all of the players for their hard work on and off the field. This has been an amazing group and has represented SMC with class." Three games in one day and five in two days was just too much to overcome." This group has a lot to be proud of!
