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The Spartanburg Methodist College softball team swept its third straight doubleheader on Thursday, taking two games from host Carolina University to raise its record to 6-0 for the 2026 season.
The Pioneers took the first game of the day behind the arm of reigning AAC Pitcher of the Week Bailey Kiser, who struck out nine on her way to a 2-0 shutout. SMC tallied five hits in the win, including two from the bat of Alex Stuckey, while unearned runs in the third and fifth innings proved to be the difference.
Pass the broom…for a third-time this season, SMC softball pulls off a doubleheader sweep. The Pioneers win game two of the doubleheader vs. Carolina, 18-3. Gracie Starnes with three hits, three runs scored and six RBI. #RollNeers #PlayNAIA #NAIASB pic.twitter.com/zI5cpK6nsf
— SMC PIONEERS (@GOSMCPIONEERS) February 19, 2026
The nightcap saw the Pioneers erase an early 3-0 deficit with an offensive onslaught, scoring nine runs in the second, five in the third, three in the fourth, and one in the fifth to secure an 18-3 victory. SMC finished with 13 hits, led by Gracie Starnes, who turned in a dominant performance with three hits, four runs scored, and six RBIs.
Alex Stuckey also added three hits to her daily total, while Carson McCowan and Lauren Balew each collected two hits. McCowan drove in three runs and Jacie Ross brought in two to fuel the winning effort.
SOFTBALL • PIONEERS win! PIONEERS win! On the strength of nine strikeouts by the AAC Pitcher of the Week Bailey Kiser, SMC softball blanks Carolina, 2-0 in game one of the doubleheader. Two hits for Alex Stuckey in the win for SMC. #RollNeers pic.twitter.com/yxNVKYo7Sc
— SMC PIONEERS (@GOSMCPIONEERS) February 19, 2026
Maddie Handy earned her first win of the season in relief, pitching the final 4.2 innings and keeping the Bruins in check by allowing just four hits while striking out three.
The Pioneers will look to keep their momentum shifting into their next matchup, a doubleheader against Brewton-Parker in Mount Vernon, Georgia. The games are scheduled for Friday, February 27, starting at 2 p.m.
Courtesy: www.gosmcpioneers.com/
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