GREENWOOD – The Lander softball team exploded for 14 runs in game two of Friday's season-opening doubleheader against rival Erskine to earn a split with the Flying Fleet at Doug Spears Field. 

Erskine plated a pair of runs in each of the first two innings of game one, then broke the game open with a four-run sixth inning. A dropped fly ball in the bottom of the sixth allowed Rylee Omahen to score Lander's lone run of the contest. The Bearcats left seven batters stranded and managed just two hits off Erskine starter Hannah Hogue, who tossed a complete-game effort. Liz Gollin took the loss for Lander, allowing six runs on five hits with seven walks and three strikeouts in 5.1 innings. 

Lander burst out of the gates in game two, as the Fleet committed three errors in Lander's first four at-bats to bring home two runs. An RBI single from Delaney Guerrero gave Lander a 3-0 advantage. 

The Bearcats loaded the bases in the bottom of the second and added to the lead when Omahen beat out an infield single to score Hannah Medley. Morgan Watson's grounder hugged the first-base line for another RBI single to make the score 5-0 before Guerrero mashed a grand slam over the centerfield fence to put Lander up 9-0. 

Erskine scored twice in the top of the third, but Shannon Antonini answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the inning. Lander continued its offensive outburst in the fourth as Alana Frye doubled home Guerrero. Jillian Terpenning came on as a pinch runner and stole third before racing home on an erratic throw. Emily Campbell made the score 13-2 with an RBI double and came around to score on an RBI single from Haley Erwin.

Eliza Gonzalez picked up the win in the circle for Lander, allowing two runs on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks in 5.0 innings. 

Lander returns to action Sunday afternoon with a doubleheader against Lees-McRae at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. at Doug Spears Field. 

#cLawsUp | @LanderSoftball