Apply Online | Local Information | Tour SMC Campus | Directory | A-Z Index | Home 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --- MAY 4, 2008
 
Lady Pioneers Claim Region X Title
 
HARTSVILLE, SC -- The Spartanburg Methodist College Lady Pioneers on Sunday claimed their first National Junior College Athletic Association Region X title in 15 years.
 
SMC came back from a 6-4 Sunday afternoon defeat to beat Aiken Tech later in the day in a close 5-4 win and advanced to the NJCAA softball nationals. The national tournament will be held May 15-18 in Plant City, FL.
 
The Lady Pioneers led the region championship game 2-0 going into the sixth inning, where Aiken Tech posted four runs in the top. SMC came back in the bottom of the inning with three runs to win the game.
 
Sophomore Amber Hartley, of Batesburg, SC, hit a double to bring in the tying and winning runs.
 
"It is extremely exciting to win the region for the first time in 15 years. We did it with a lot of hard work and determination, and showed alot of character in the process," says head coach Rick Pauly.
 
"As a coach, I couldn't be happier. We were at the the bottom of the region two years ago, at the middle of the pack last year, and now we're at the top. It was a real good climb that involved a lot of hard work from a group of extremely talented young ladies. We're building a winning tradition with a very good group. Now it's on to Florida where I think we're going to win some really good games," adds Pauly.
 
Three SMC players received tournament honors. Laura Trout, of Summerville, SC, and Anna Oswald,of Columbia, SC, were named to the Region X All Tournament team. Hartley was named Tournament MVP.
 
Head coach Rick Pauly was also named Region X Tournament Coach of the Year.
 
For more information contact head coach Rick Pauly at (864) 237-1253 or public information director Brian Fulkerson at (864) 587-4254.