Peace Splits in Opening Day of Combat Classic

Raleigh, NC -- The Peace College (4-4) softball team split today's games of the Triangle Combat Classic, losing 6-5 to Wilson College (2-0) and defeating Agnes Scott 8-6 in the nightcap. Wilson and Agnes Scott (1-7) defeated Sweet Briar (0-2) in the day's first two games.

The Phoenix unleashed their offense in the third inning of game three to take a 5-0 lead against the Pacers. Wilson opened with a single to left, adding two bunts to load the bases. A dropped fly ball in center advanced two runners home. A three-run homer pushed the lead to five.

Peace rallied in the fifth with leadoff single from Courtney Long who advanced to third on a throwing error. Morgan Weathington scored Long with a ball down the rightfield line. Catcher Melissa Williams picked up a single, and Weathington moved around on a passed ball scoring on an error to get the Pacers on the board with two.

The Pacers held WC to just one run in the bottom of the frame and continued their rally in the sixth. Long earned a double to center scoring Tatum Townsend who advanced on a fielder's choice. Weathington picked up another single to score long, and rookie pitcher Kendra Yearick kept the run going with a double to right. Williams groundout to the pitcher to end the inning one short. Peace would get no closer.

Game two for Peace followed much the same pattern. Agnes Scott held a 6-1 lead when the Pacers came up to bat in the bottom of the fourth. Townsend earned a two-RBI double to put Peace within striking distance.

Yearick and her team held the Scotties scoreless in the top of five to earn another shot at the plate, and the Pacers took full advantage. Peace picked up five runs on five hits with one visitor error to take an 8-6 lead that would hold until the umpire called the game in the top of seven due to darkness.

Ashley Stansbury (1-2) had a tough two innings against Wilson and took the loss. She gave up four earned runs on five hits with one strikeout. Yearick (3-1) recorded a win against ASC after taking over for Hannah McLeod to pitch the final 3.1 innings. She game up two earned runs on one hit with five strikeouts.

Peace opens day-two of the Combat Classic with Sweet Briar College at 9:00 am. Agnes Scott and Wilson faceoff follow at 11:00 am. Tournament seeding will determine the final two games of the day. Follow the tournament action here. See you on the sidelines!