Canes Sweep on Good Friday; Take Three of Four from SMC

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – After splitting two games on Thursday, the Louisburg Hurricanes and Spartanburg Methodist Pioneers were eager to return to the diamond on Friday to determine who the better team was in 2018.
The Hurricanes made a compelling case that it was them, as they defeated the Pioneers twice on Friday afternoon in Spartanburg.
Game 1 (LC 3 – SMC 1)
In the first game, Louisburg's Mary Anna Clement got the starting nod from head coach Eric Lee. The Pioneers sent Charlsy Traylor to the mound, who worked the day before against the Hurricanes.
Traylor pitched well enough to earn a win, scattering eight hits and allowing three earned runs. Clement pitched even better, limiting the Pioneers (16-17) to just three hits and a run in a seven-inning outing. She also struck out eight batters, and over the course of two days struck out 17 Pioneers.
Offensively, the Hurricanes (17-7) got a boost from leadoff hitter Monica Pepe. Pepe had two hits, including a double, and also stole a base. Two spots down in the lineup, Olivia Garman equaled Pepe's two hits, while Abbi Colclough also had a pair of base hits for the visitors.
Clement came away with the win for Hurricanes, while Traylor was tabbed with the loss.
Game 2 (LC 8 – SMC 3)
In the nightcap, Louisburg sent Olivia Garman to the mound to start the day. Garman lasted only 1 and 1/3 innings before yielding to Mary Anna Clement, who finished out the nine-inning affair on the mound for the Hurricanes. Clement's line included six hits, no runs, two walks, and six strikeouts. Ultimately it was enough to earn the pitcher from Oxford, North Carolina the win. It was the second victory for Clement of the day.
The Pioneers once again sent sophomore Elizabeth Josey to the mound. Josey would go the entire distance, but yielded 13 hits as the Louisburg bats came alive in the game to secure the 8-3 victory. Leadoff hitter Monica Pepe led the way for the Hurricanes, going 4-for-5, scoring four runs, and stealing a base in an outstanding performance for the sophomore from St. Stephen's High School in Hickory.
Adding to the Louisburg hit parade was Olivia Garman who drove in four runs and had two hits, including a home run. Clement helped her own case on the mound by belting two hits and driving in three runs for the Hurricanes.
Next Up: The Hurricanes are off for a week before traveling to face USC Salkehatchie on April 7