USC Sumter Softball Sweeps Genesee Community College in Wednesday Doubleheader

SUMTER, S.C. – The USC Sumter Fire Ants softball team earned a doubleheader sweep over Genesee Community College on Wednesday afternoon, using a late comeback in game one and a dominant performance in game two to secure the victories.

Game 1: USC Sumter 6, Genesee CC 4

USC Sumter rallied from a four-run deficit to defeat Genesee Community College 6–4 in the opening game of the doubleheader.

Genesee broke through in the fourth inning when Kaylynn O'Connell drove in a run on a lineout to give the Cougars an early advantage. USC Sumter responded late, taking the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when two productive fly balls plated the go-ahead runs to complete the comeback.

Abigail McManus earned the win in the circle for the Fire Ants, pitching six innings while allowing four hits and four runs (three earned). McManus struck out nine batters and walked three.

USC Sumter collected 11 hits in the contest, led by Whitney McElveen who went 3-for-4 at the plate. Tatum Swearingen, Kaitlyn Anderson, McElveen, and Emma Gaulden each recorded an RBI. Hailee Tessner added two hits in three at-bats.

For Genesee, Caitlin Ryan drove in two runs while going 2-for-3 from the three-hole spot in the lineup.

Game 2: USC Sumter 9, Genesee CC 0

The Fire Ants carried their momentum into the second game, defeating Genesee Community College 9–0 behind a strong offensive performance and a shutout in the circle.

Kourtnei Whiteside led the offensive charge with a standout day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two singles, and two RBIs. Her two-run homer in the fourth inning helped extend USC Sumter's lead as the Fire Ants pulled away.

USC Sumter first got on the board in the third inning when Tatum Swearingen doubled to drive in a run. The Fire Ants added three more runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Eliya Hagan and Whiteside's two-run home run.

Abigail Hooks delivered a strong performance in the circle, earning the win after pitching six shutout innings. The right-hander allowed four hits while striking out three and walking two.

USC Sumter finished the game with 12 hits. McElveen and Whiteside each recorded three hits while batting back-to-back in the lineup. Swearingen drove in a team-high four runs, while Anderson and Hagan each added multiple hits. Valeria Velez contributed with two walks as the Fire Ants showed patience at the plate.

Defensively, USC Sumter was flawless, committing no errors. Bailey Driggers led the team with nine defensive plays, helping anchor the Fire Ants' strong defensive effort.

With the doubleheader sweep, USC Sumter continued to build momentum as the team progresses through its season.