CLERMONT, Fla. - William Peace softball closed out play at The Spring Games on Friday with a ranked victory and a narrow loss, defeating No. 11 Moravian University before falling just short against No. 7 East Texas Baptist University.
The Pacers opened the day with an 8-7 win over No. 11 Moravian in a back-and-forth contest. Peace recorded 10 hits in the victory, led by Cierra Lear who went 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Moravian struck first in the second inning, but the Pacers responded in the third when Isabelle Olson launched a two-run home run to give Peace a 3-2 lead.
Peace extended the lead in the fourth inning with a four-run rally. Lear delivered an RBI single to tie the game before Alli Bordwine drove in a run on a fielder's choice. Reagan Stewart also contributed with an RBI as the Pacers took control with a 7-4 lead.
The Pacers added another run in the fifth when Lear singled home Taylor Byrd to push the lead to 8-4.
Moravian rallied late with three runs in the final innings, but Peace held on to secure the ranked win. Stewart earned the victory in the circle, tossing four innings and allowing two runs while striking out four.
In the second game of the day, the Pacers mounted a late comeback but fell 6-5 to No. 7 East Texas Baptist.
East Texas Baptist jumped out to an early lead and extended the advantage to 5-0 in the fifth inning. Peace got on the board in the bottom half of the inning when Sabrina Cox singled home Hannah Cron to cut into the deficit.
The Pacers pulled within one in the seventh inning with a four-run rally. Lear started the push with an RBI double before Alli Bordwine followed with a sacrifice fly to bring Peace within three. Isabelle Olson then delivered an RBI double, and Reagan Stewart added an RBI single to make it a one-run game.
Despite the late comeback, East Texas Baptist held on for the 6-5 victory. Cox led the offense with three hits while Lear and Olson each recorded a double as the Pacers finished with nine hits in the contest.
William Peace returns to action on Tuesday, March 17 with a doubleheader at Johnson & Wales (N.C.).
