ANDERSON, S.C. - Early miscues and a stellar performance in the circle by USC Aiken pitcher India Kornegay proved too much to overcome, as the second-seeded Anderson softball team fell, 5-0, to No. 6 seeded USC Aiken in NCAA Southeast Regional Softball Tournament action, Sunday afternoon at Smethers Field.
USC Aiken improved to 34-15 on the season and advanced to meet third-seeded Armstrong Atlantic State later in the afternoon. The Trojans, who were eliminated from the tourney with the setback, ended their campaign with a 43-12 record, which marked the most wins in school history.
Kornegay, a First-Team All-Peach Belt Conference honoree, limited the potent Trojan offense to just one hit on the afternoon, as the senior improved to 23-5 on the season. She recorded 11 strikeouts on the afternoon, while walking four.
Anderson junior second baseman Jessica Neidigh posted AU's lone
hit - a two-out infield single in the fifth inning - while also
adding a fifth-inning walk. Senior Abby Child also posted a pair of
walks.
Freshman hurler Augie Pena (8-2) absorbed the loss for Anderson,
surrendering five runs (one earned) on seven hits in five full
innings of work. She struck out three Pacers and did not walk a
batter. Fellow freshman Lauren Rudesheim tossed the final two
innings for the Trojans, while striking out one and walking
one.
After a scoreless first inning, the Pacers batted around in the
top of the second frame, taking advantage of three singles and
three Trojan miscues to provide all the scoring in the contest.
