GREENWOOD---The Lander softball team lost to Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.) University, 6-4, and Erskine College, 3-1, Friday during the first day of the Bearcat Classic held at Doug Spears Field. (Game 1 Box | Game 2 Box)
Lander drops to 8-10 overall. The Bearcat Classic will resume at 9 a.m. Saturday with the Doug Spears Field dedication set for 10:45 a.m.
Lincoln Memorial 6, Lander 4
LMU took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Brittany Walker and Tiffany Evans scored on Jessica Locker's two-RBI single. The Railsplitters extended the lead to 3-0 in the third when Walker doubled, stole second and scored on Gina Grace's groundout to second. Locker then doubled in Sara Henn to make it 4-0.
Lander cut the margin to 4-2 in the fourth inning. Ashlea Burdette scored on Daisy Stewart's single to centerfield then Megan Lowe singled in Sara Senn, who was pinch running for Stewart.
LMU extended the lead to 6-2 in the fifth on Cassey Shutte's two-run homer.
In the sixth inning, Lander scored its final two runs. Lowe singled to centerfield, Corrie Bessinger, who was a pinch runner for Lowe, then advanced to second on Kyndall Freer's single. Bessinger scored on Brittany Wallace's double down the right field line then Freer scored on Smith's single.
Kelly Click (2-1) earned the victory for the Railsplitters as she struck out three and allowed two earned runs on four hits in 3.2 innings pitched. Lander's Burdette (2-4) took the loss as she walked one and allowed six earned runs on 10 hits in 5.1 innings pitched.
Erskine 3, Lander 1
Erskine took a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning when Kelly Davis and Katee Knapp scored on Courtney Davis' double. The Flying Fleet stretched the lead to 3-0 in the sixth on Rebecca Clontz's RBI double.
The Bearcats' lone score came in the sixth when Burdette doubled, stole thid and scored on Melissa Ryals' RBI single.
Amanda Norton (1-1) earned the win as she struck out three, walked two and allowed just one earned run on six hits in 6.1 innings pitched. Rebekah George earned the save.
Lander's Austin Murray (3-5) took the loss as she struck out eight, walked three and allowed three earned runs on four hits in the complete seven innings.
