Late Inning Rallies Lift Southern Wesleyan Past the Pioneers

The Pioneer softball team dropped two hard-fought games to NAIA foe Southern Wesleyan University on Saturday, losing 5-4 and 6-2.

In the first game of the day, the Pioneers dug themselves into an early 4-0 hole before their offense sparked a four-run sixth inning rally to tie the game behind the bats of Lacie King, Ashley Jackson and Cheyanne Siebenaler. Wesleyan's defense looked poised to hold the Warriors scoreless in the seventh inning, but a dropped ball that would have led to the third out of the inning allowed Southern Wesleyan to score the winning run. Although it took some time for the Pioneers to find their offense, Wesleyan finished the game with 11 hits.

In game two, the Pioneers jumped out to an early 2-1 lead, but a two-run homerun by Southern Wesleyan's Ashley Leford put the Warriors ahead for good in the fourth inning. The Pioneer's 6-2 loss was highlighted, however, by the first collegiate home run by sophomore Ashley Jackson.

The Pioneers return to action in their home opener at the Mathews Athletic Complex on Tuesday, February 17 with a double-header beginning at 5:00pm. Admission is free.