Pioneers Top PSU-DuBois, Fall to Albion to Begin Spring Break Trip

The Spartanburg Methodist College softball team split its two games Sunday at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. SMC opened the day with a 10–1 victory over Penn State-DuBois in six innings before dropping a 5–1 decision to NCAA Division III member Albion.

In the 10–1 win over PSU-DuBois, the Pioneers plated five runs in the sixth inning to extend a 5–1 lead and secure the victory. Offensively, Maddie Handy led the Pioneers with three hits, two runs scored and two RBI. Gracie Starnes, Alex Stuckey and Jacie Ross each added two hits as the Pioneers recorded 13 hits in the game.

The offensive outburst supported SMC starter Bailey Kiser, who went five innings, allowing just three hits while striking out eight to improve her record to 6–1.

In the second game of the day, the Pioneers faced NCAA Division III member Albion. The Britons scored three runs in the bottom of the second inning on their way to a 5–1 victory. Jacie Ross and Maddie Handy each recorded two hits for the Pioneers in the loss.

SMC nearly got on the scoreboard in the second inning. Handy led off the frame with a triple, and Carson McCowan followed with a walk. McCowan then moved into scoring position with a successful steal, putting runners on second and third with no outs.

However, the Britons responded by striking out two batters and inducing a pop out to end the threat.

Albion then scored three runs on three hits in the bottom of the inning, taking advantage of two Pioneer errors to build a 3–0 lead.

SMC's lone run came on an RBI single by Handy that scored Ross, who had led off the inning with a single.

The Pioneers return to action Monday with two games scheduled. SMC will face Rochester Christian at 9 a.m. followed by Penn State–Mont Alto at 11 a.m.