AIKEN, S.C. - An outstanding offensive performance by Georgia Southwestern's Hayley Knight coupled with a pair of lights-out GSW pitching efforts led the Lady Hurricanes to a sweep of USC Aiken Friday evening.
GAME 1: GSW 1, USCA 0
Both offenses got off to a slow start in the opening contest as GSW's Allison Pastor and USCA's India Kornegay dueled it out on the mound.
After six scoreless innings, GSW finally dented the scoreboard when Hayley Knight had an RBI single to left field in a bases loaded situation to put a run on Southwestern's side of the scoreboard.
That run was all the Lady 'Canes needed as Pastor (9-6) finished off the Pacers in the bottom of the seventh inning to deliver GSW the 1-0 win.
The junior completed an excellent effort on the mound by throwing a complete game-shut out allowing six hits while striking out six Pacers.
Kornegay (9-7) also threw a complete game effort in the loss as the junior allowed one run off eight hits for USC Aiken (17-12, 4-5 PBC).
On a low scoring contest, GSW (19-20, 3-8 PBC) relied on Knight offensive prowess as the junior centerfielder accounted for three of Southwestern's eight hits, including the game-winning RBI.
GAME 2: GSW 3, USCA 1
GSW used the same formula that worked in the first game as another strong offensive performance by Knight, coupled with another outstanding pitching effort helped deliver the Lady Hurricanes a sweep on the day.
Ashley Cavender (6-8) patrolled the mound throughout the contest as the sophomore threw a complete game allowing one run off a single hit while striking out five for the Blue and Gold.
Much like the first contest, both teams started slow offensively.
After five scoreless innings, the scoreboard finally lit up in the sixth inning as both teams notched a run.
In the seventh inning Knight once again delivered the late-game heroics.
The Leesburg-native singled through the right field to score two Lady 'Canes and GSW held off the Pacers for the 3-1 victory.
With Cavender's commanding one-hit effort on the mound, Knight led GSW offensively going 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI.
On the day, GSW's starting pitching duo of Pastor and Cavender combined to allow just one run off seven hits, while Knight went 5-for-7 with three RBI.
With the sweep, GSW (20-20, 4-8 PBC) earned just their second and third wins all-time against USCA (17-13, 4-6 PBC) in Southwestern's NCAA-era.
Georgia Southwestern will return to action Sunday as the Lady 'Canes complete their six game-South Carolina road swing when they travel to Lander for a PBC doubleheader starting a 12:00 p.m.