Carson McCowan // photo by SMC Sports Communications
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Four opponents. Four doubleheader sweeps. That is the story thus far in the 2026 season for the Spartanburg Methodist College softball team, which took two from host Brewton Parker, 7-1 and 3-2, on Thursday afternoon.
The Pioneers (8-0) are off to the best start in program history, eclipsing the previous record of seven straight wins set in 2015. Timely hitting and effective pitching were the recipe for success once again on Thursday.
Game One:
SMC 7, BPC 1
In the opener, SMC erased an early 1-0 deficit to the host Barons by scoring seven unanswered runs. Bailey Kiser pitched her fourth complete game of the season, allowing six hits and striking out five to improve her record to 4-0. Offensively, SMC took advantage of five BPC errors and tallied seven hits. Leadoff batter Jacie Ross led the charge with two hits and an RBI. Carson McCowan also collected two hits and two runs scored, while Grace Thomas added two RBIs.
After tying the game in the second inning, SMC plated the go-ahead run in the fourth on a wild pitch. An RBI single by Ross in the sixth stretched the lead to 3-1 before a four-run seventh inning sealed the victory.
Game Two:
SMC 3, BPC 2
The nightcap followed a similar script, with SMC forced to come from behind after the Barons took a 2-1 lead. The Pioneers scored a run in each of the final two innings to secure the 3-2 win. In the comeback, Thomas hit an RBI single in the sixth to tie the game, and McCowan delivered the game-winning RBI single in the seventh. Ross added two more hits to lead the Pioneers’ six-hit attack. In the circle, Maddie Handy went the distance to raise her record to 2-0.
To tie the game in the sixth, Ross led off with a single for her second hit of the contest. She moved into scoring position by stealing second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, and was driven home by Thomas with two outs.
SMC secured the winning run in the seventh after Gracie Starnes led off the inning with a walk. She moved to third following a sacrifice bunt and a ground out, setting the stage for McCowan’s two-out, game-winning RBI single. Handy then shut the door on a Barons comeback by striking out the side to end the game.
Up Next
SMC returns home to host Shawnee State in a doubleheader this Sunday at 1 p.m. at Grant Softball Field.
Danny Kambel
Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Communications
Spartanburg Methodist College
1750 Powell Mill Road
Spartanburg, SC 29301
Office: (864) 587-4244
Cell: (864) 431-3232
E-mail: kambeld@smcsc.edu
Website: https://www.gosmcpioneers.com/
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