FERRUM, Va. – In the first of three doubleheaders on the road this week, the Southern Virginia University Softball team (12-4) battled with Ferrum College (8-6) Tuesday evening, splitting contests against the Panthers.

Game number one featured excellent pitching from both squads. For the Knights, Arianna Prymak again impressed, tallying four strikeouts while allowing just five hits en route to her sixth win of the season. Lyndsey Sears, who also has six wins on the year, was in the circle for the Panthers and was also solid, holding the Knights to four hits.

Half of the Southern Virginia hits came in the top of the third. Matea Manuleleua singled up the middle and advanced to second after Prymak reached first on an error by the third baseman. The two would reach the next base following a Dykell Jones single, loading the bases. Jaci Shumway stepped up to the plate and executed the sacrifice fly to perfection, bringing in Manuleleua for the first and only run of the contest.

Ferrum looked poised to make a quick comeback, getting runners in scoring position in the following inning. The visitors, however, were quick to shut down the attempt, forcing a pop-up and a ground out to leave runners on second and third.

The Knights secured the victory after Prymak allowed just two hits in the final four innings.

Ferrum came out firing on all cylinders in the second game, registering six runs in the opening two innings.

Southern Virginia clawed its way back into the game in the top of the fourth, cutting the deficit to one after five runs. Krystal Kemp led off with a solo home run to get the visitors on the board. With two outs on the board, Chloe Nelson doubled to right center, advancing Krailyn Guymon to third after being walked, and following a Manuleleua hit, the two would reach home. The scoring didn't stop there, with Prymak smacking the ball to right center and wheeling around the bases to third, scoring Manueleleua. Finally, Jones singled up the middle, bringing in Prymak and making the score 6-5.

In the following inning, the Knights would take the lead after three runs, opened up by a Mattison Christensen single, which brought in Kemp to tie the contest at six. Manuleleua continued her excellent game, adding two RBI after a double to left center.

The home team quickly restored its advantage, recording five runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Panthers added another run in the bottom of the sixth and closed out the game with three straight strikeouts in the top of the seventh.

Prymak followed up her stellar pitching performance in game one with perfect hitting in the second, going 4-for-4 with a double and a triple.

Southern Virginia will now travel to Ashland, Virginia, to take on the Yellow Jackets of Randolph-Macon on Thursday, Mar. 23.

For all the most up-to-date information regarding Southern Virginia University softball, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_softball on Instagram.