February 16, 2013
Pitching Staff leads Softball to Sweep Day Two at Hornet Invitational
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The UNCG softball team used back-to-back shutouts against Eastern Illinois (W, 4-0) and Belmont (W, 1-0) to sweep Day Two Saturday night at the Barbara Williams softball complex.
"Our pitching staff has done a great job this weekend," said head coach Janelle Breneman. "Raeanne has thrown a lot of innings but is working ahead of batters and has been dominating our opponent's lineups. Kelly got her first collegiate win today after throwing five solid innings. Our defense has been great behind them with two shutouts on the day."
Redshirt junior Raeanne Hanks (Rainier, Ore./Rainier Senior) earned a complete game shutout against Belmont to improve to 4-1 on the season. Hanks threw seven innings, allowing just two hits with six strikeouts. On day, she completed nine innings without giving up a run.
UNCG 2, Eastern Illinois 0
In game one, freshman Kelly Lupton (Galloway, N.J./Absegami) earned her first career victory after throwing five innings, allowing just two hits with five strikeouts. Hanks pitched the final two innings in relief to earn the save.
Freshman Danielle Vega (Rialto, Calif./Aquinas) paced the Spartans with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate, while freshman Lindsay Thomas (Irvine, Ca./Northwood) went 1-for-3 with a solo home run.
The Spartans took an early lead after junior Katelyn Bedwell (Surrey, British Columbia/Elgin Park Secondary) lined an RBI single in the top of the first. Vega roped a one-out double to left center to put a runner in scoring position for UNCG. After a groundout, Bedwell came through with the two-out RBI. Senior Eileen Horsmon (Dunkirk, Md./Northern) and classmate Aubrey Baldwin (Tucson, Ariz./Catalina Foothills) hit back-to-back singles to load the bases but UNCG came away with just one run.
In the top of the third, Thomas blasted a one-out home run to deep centerfield for her fourth of the season.
Eastern Illinois had an opportunity in the bottom of the fifth when the Panthers put runners on first and third. After a one-out walk to Ally Seplak, Lupton struck out Melise Brown swinging for the second out. Seplak advanced to third after a wild pitch and a throwing error. Carly Willert walked to set up runners at the corners but Lupton earned another strikeout to end the threat.
UNCG 1, Belmont 0
In game two, Hanks was able to win the rematch against Belmont, 1-0, after an RBI single from Lindsay Thomas proved to be the game-winning hit.
UNCG scored the first run after back-to-back doubles from Vegas and Lindsay Thomas to put the Spartans up 1-0. Both hits were with two outs to give UNCG the lead in the bottom of the third.
Vegas finished the day with a team-high four hits.
UNCG concludes the Hornet Invitational Sunday, Feb. 17 against Eastern Illinois at 11 a.m. at the Barbara Williams Softball complex.
Be sure to follow all updates about the UNCG softball season on www.uncgspartans.com or on twitter @UNCGsports/@UNCGsoftball.
- UNCG -
