GREENWOOD - After USC Aiken scored five runs in the top of the seventh to send the game into extra innings,
Haven Pesce would blast a walk off home run in the bottom of the eighth to lift the Bearcats to a 7-6 win in the opening round of the Peach Belt Championship. Lander advances to the semifinals and will play either Columbus State or Flagler.
| SUMMARY |
| FINAL |
Lander 7, USC Aiken 6 (8 innings) |
| PITCHERS |
WP: Liz Gollin (13-3) LP: Lakyn Phillips (14-10) |
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| RECORDS |
Lander (35-14) USC Aiken (29-22) |
| KEY INNINGS |
| TOP 5 |
After four scoreless innings, Taylor Butts would hit a solo home run to give the Pacers the lead. |
| BOT 5 |
The Bearcats would get runners on first and second after bunt singles from Naya Jones and Bridgett Tierney. A double to right center by Shannon Antonini would score both runners and give Lander the lead. A walk by Barbara Cook and single by Abbie Behe would load the bases. Olivia Veidt would reach on a fielder's choice to score Antonini and make it 3-1. The Bearcats added three more runs on an error by the Pacers to make it 6-1. |
| TOP 7 |
The Pacers scored five runs to tie the game at six. |
| BOT 8 |
Pesce would take the 2-2 pitch and blast it over the left-center field fence to give Lander the win and advance the Bearcats. |
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| LANDER LEADERS |
USC AIKEN LEADERS |
Shannon Antonini 2-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI
Haven Pesce 2-4, HR, 2 R, RBI
Naya Jones 1-2, R
Rebecca Boesen 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 K |
Lauren Wexler 3-4, R, 2 RBI
Emily Ayers 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI |
| UP NEXT |
| The Bearcats will take on either Columbus State or Flager tomorrow at 12:30 PM. |
