RALEIGH, NC – The William Peace softball team opened the season against Salem on Saturday. The Pacers won the first game, 5-3, and tied the Spirit in game two, 8-8. The game was called in the sixth due to darkness.
Game One: William Peace 5, Salem 3
WPU took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third. Lindsey Wiggins reached on a fielder's choice and Caroline Womble singled before Morgan Farmer doubled both of them in.
Wiggins gave the Pacers some insurance in the fifth as she blasted a two-run shot for a 4-1 lead, which also scored Michelle Sheldon-Gregorio who singled to reach base. Heather Dindinger singled to lead off the sixth, and then Casey Taylor knocked her in with an RBI base knock.
Salem scored a pair in the top of the seventh, but the Paces held on for the win, 5-3.
In addition to a 2-for-3 day at the plate, Farmer pitched all seven innings in her WPU debut for the win. She allowed three runs, only two of which were earned, on seven hits, four walks and six strikeouts. Gregorio went 2-for-2 with a run scored, while four other Pacers added one hit apiece.
Game Two: William Peace 8, Salem 8
WPU (1-0-1) committed four errors in the top of the first, and Salem took advantage for a 4-0 lead, but the Pacers cut it two (4-2) as Brandi Stamey plated Womble and Farmer. Womble Singled and Farmer drew a base on balls to reach base.
Salem (0-2-2) tacked on two more in the third, but Stamey added another RBI single to score Farmer to make it 6-3. The Pacers cut their deficit to one (6-5) in their next at bat after loading the bases with only one out. Morgan Bryant singled and scored on Womble's RBI fielder's choice. Gregorio walked and came home on Farmer's RBI single.
The Spirit jumped ahead, 8-5, in the top of the fifth, but WPU had an answer in the bottom half to tie the game up. Shay Poteat walked and scored, as Morgan Bryant came through with an RBI double. Heather McLean pinch hit and drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Wiggins singled to bring in Bryant and then McLean crossed the plate on another RBI single from Farmer.
The game was called after the sixth inning due to darkness.
WPU racked up 11 hits, but seven errors cost them a chance to win. Farmer collected two more hits and reached base all four times she came to bat, drawing two walks, driving in a pair and scoring two more. Stamey went 2-for4 with three RBI. Morgan Bryant went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Wiggins also chipped in with a 2-for-3 game to go along with an RBI.
Dindinger got the start for WPU and threw five innings, allowing eight runs, only four of which were earned, on nine hits and five strikeouts. Lauren Martin came in to pitch a scoreless inning in the sixth.
The WPU softball team will return to action this Wednesday, Feb. 18 for a double-header at Guilford College.
Stay up to date with William Peace Athletics via social media: Like us on Facebook, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
