Due West, SC---The Erskine College softball team split a Conference Carolinas double header with Belmont Abbey Saturday afternoon, losing game one 6-2 and winning game two 4-0.
In game one, the Fleet would take an 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a RBI single by Lindsey LaPrad, but the Crusaders would tie the game up in the next inning with a run scoring single by Danielle Puckett. Belmont Abbey would break the tie in the top of the fourth on a two run single by Megan Mullis and a RBI single by Gina Antonucci to take a 4-1 lead. The Crusaders would add two insurance runs in the sixth and hold on for the 6-2 victory.
Puckett led Belmont Abbey at the plate going 3-4 with a RBI and run scored, while Antonucci was 2-3 with two runs batted in. Kayla Short picked up the win, allowing two runs on 10 hits in seven innings of work.
Melinda Bowman led the Fleet offense going 2-3 with an RBI, while Hailey Whitlock was 2-3 and Kayla Vinson was 2-4 with a run scored. Lauren Gunter took the loss, allowing four runs (one earned) in four innings of work.
The Fleet would once again take the lead early in game two, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second on an RBI single from Amber Hartley, and a two run single by Kelly Davis. That would be all the Fleet would need as Leigh Anne Shelley allowed just three hits in a complete game shut out to pick up the win.
Katee Knapp was 2-3 with two stolen bases, while LaPrad was 1-3 with an RBI for Erskine.
Alysia Stewart, Katie Hobbs, and Pucket were the only Crusader batters with a hit, while Carrie Markham took the loss allowing four runs in six innings of work.
Erskine is now 18-14 overall on the season and 5-3 in the conference, while Belmont Abbey is 10-27 and 3-11.