LAURINBURG - With Pinecrest losing Thursday night, the race for the top spot in the Southeastern Conference was within reach for Scotland.
Unfortunately for the Scots, its journey hit a detour Friday night.
Fueled by a seven-run fourth inning, Purnell Swett pounded out 11 hits and picked up a key SEC win over Scotland, 11-4, at McCoy Field.
Scotland (11-7, 3-3 SEC) left 11 runners on base including two or more in each of the first four innings.
"A win like this bring us closer to the top of the standings," Purnell Swett Coach Will Clark said. "Pinecrest losing last night hurt us. If we want to make the playoffs we've got to keep winning. We've got to keep hitting the ball like we did tonight and we showed teams that we can hit the ball."
The Scots gained the momentum early when Greg Jorgensen took the Rams Mark Oxendine deep to left field for a two-run homer.
It would stay that way until the top of the fourth when Purnell Swett's bats came to life.
A two-run double by Caleb Jacobs, scored Matt Lowry, who led off with a double to tie the game at 2-all.
Following an RBI walk by Marcus Hunt to take the lead, the Rams made it 5-2 on a two-run double from Jim Allen Locklear.
"I just preached to them to keep battling," said Clark. "In the past we would fold if we got down 2-0. I told that if they continued to battle and hit the ball then good things would happen."
Lady Rams 3 Scots 8
The Scotland softball team lost its first conference game last week.
Friday evening, the Scots decided to play the role of giver to Purnell Swett.
The Scots overcame a 3-0 deficit by scoring five runs in the fourth and fifth innings on the way to an 8-3 over the previously unbeaten Rams (11-5, 3-1).
"I am extremely proud of the girls effort out there tonight," said Scotland Coach Patrick Williams. "They've worked extremely hard and what really impressed me was the way the we were able to put the ball in play. Getting 12 hits off a pitching like (Josey) Oxendine is quite an accomplishment."
After loading the bases up with one out in the first, Scotland (11-2, 3-1) came out of the inning with nothing to show for it.
Following a Cori Newton walk in the second, Brittany Gibson drove in the starting pitcher with an RBI double to make it 1-0.
Josey Oxendine gave herself and the Rams a little run support in the third with a two-run double.
Tiffany Locklear made it 3-1 in favor of Purnell Swett with an RBI groundout.
The Scots responded by scoring a pair of runs when Lauren Medlin and Lindsey Wright both brought in runs when they reached base on errors.
In the fourth, Scotland would take the lead for good on a two-run single by Shae Barnes and added three more runs in the fifth. The Lady Rams are now in third place and will return to action on Tuesday when they take on the first place Lady Raiders at home.
