Furman and Wofford each overcame three-run deficits to secure wins as they split a Southern Conference softball doubleheader, 6-4 and 6-5, on Friday night at Pepsi Stadium in Greenville.
The outcome leaves the series tied heading into the deciding game scheduled for Saturday morning. The final game will be streamed live on ESPN+, with fans encouraged to arrive early as Furman plans to honor Sylvia Burroughs and Ansley Chiang before their last home appearance. Admission is free for attendees.
In the first game, Furman rallied from a 4-1 deficit, sparked by key contributions from Ansley Chiang, AB Cipalla, Kristyn Embler, and Rachel Hawkins. Kate Stoltzfus hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to put Furman ahead. Embler earned the win after pitching seven innings and also contributed three hits at the plate. Abby Greenwood took the loss for Wofford while Brianna Stanley led their offense with three hits.
Wofford responded in game two by erasing a three-run deficit of their own. Despite Furman’s five-run third inning featuring home runs from Stoltzfus and Katie Peeler plus a two-run double by Hawkins, Wofford came back with help from Desirae Devine’s triple and Addie Lucier’s solo homer. In extra innings, Kate Platte scored what became the winning run on an RBI single by Stanley. Natalya Salo pitched all eight innings for Wofford to earn the victory.
Stanley drove in three runs for Wofford while Platte and Rivers Sampson each had three hits. Gwen Hill was charged with the loss for Furman despite pitching eight innings; Peeler led her team offensively going 2-for-3 at bat.
The final contest of this series will not only decide who takes it but also serve as a send-off for two senior players.
