The Hurricanes softball team opened up conference play this weekend where they split a four game series with USC Lancaster.

Game 1
Louisburg 9    USC Lancaster 1

Jamie Hockaday (Butner, NC) got the win in game one as the Lady 'Canes run-ruled USCL, 9-1. Hockaday threw all five innings where she only gave up one run on four hits. Hockaday also did some damage at the plate as she went 1-3 with a pair of RBI. Maci Burns (Hebron, MD) and Lauren Saller (Mechanicsville, VA) each had a pair of base knocks with Burns going 2-3 and Saller 2-2.

Game 2
Louisburg 4     USC Lancaster 5

Traci Bridgers (Goldsboro, NC) picked up the loss in game two as she gave up five runs in the first inning before settling down and shutting the door through her next five innings of work. In the 5-4 loss, the frosh hurler gave up five runs on 11 hits and she struck out four Lancers batters. Morgan Tharrington (Youngsville, NC) led the LC attack in the conference loss as she went 3-4 with two RBI. Hockaday and Saller also chipped in with two hits each.  

Game 3
Louisburg 2    USC Lancaster 4

Hockaday returned to the circle for the deciding conference game in the series where she took the 4-2 loss, Sunday afternoon. She gave up four runs, on seven hits and she fanned nine USCL batters all while going 2-3 at the plate. Hockaday also hit a double, drove in one run and scored another. Catcher, Sommer Di Fulgo (Virginia Beach, VA) broke out of her brief slump as she went 2-3 with a pair of singles.

Game 4
Louisburg 10    USC Lancaster 1

In the series finale, a nonconference game, the 'Canes responded with an offensive outburst led by Hockaday. While playing first base, she went 3-4 with a pair of homeruns, a triple and six RBI. The solid weekend improved her season average to .500. Megan Thompson (Newport News, VA) got the start in the circle where she only gave up a pair of hits and one unearned run through four innings. Bridgers threw the final three innings where she only gave up one hit.

With the split of the four game series, the Hurricanes' record improves to 7-3, 1-2 in Region X. LC will play their first home games of 2012 on Thursday when they host College of The Albemarle at Cotton Field. First pitch in the doubleheader is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.