GREENWOOD – The Lander softball team claimed its second home sweep Thursday afternoon when the Bearcats defeated Emmanuel, 8-0 and 2-0, in a non-conference twinbill at Doug Spears Field.

Lander improves to 17-27 overall, while the Lions drop to 10-22.

In the first game, McKenzi Ferguson (11-12) picked up the win in five shutout innings of work, striking out seven and allowing just three hits.

The Lions' Taylor Saxon (3-10) suffered the loss after allowing three earned runs on two hits in one-third of an inning.

Lander claimed a 4-0 lead in the first inning when Brianna Surrento smacked a two-run homer to left field and Casey Kent's single plated Dariean Ward and Kelli McCormack. Another RBI single from Kent in the third inning increased the lead to 5-0. 

Jamie Pisel drove in two runs in the bottom of the fifth on a single that scored Casey Wooten and McCormack before Kasey Rogers ended the game by doubling home Katie Painter to give Lander an 8-0 mercy-rule win. 

For Lander Kent and Destiny Clyde had two hits apiece.

In the second game, Brianna Surrento (4-12) earned the win on the mound with a complete-game three-hit shutout, while striking out three

Emmanuel's Erin Harden (3-9) took the loss after striking out three, walking three and allowing two earned runs on four hits in six innings.

After five scoreless innings, the Bearcats took the lead for good on a solo home run from Chandler Carey and an RBI double from Kent.

For Lander, Clyde led the way with two hits.

Lander will travel to Georgia College on Saturday afternoon for a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader.