Greensboro, NC - The UNC Greensboro softball team opened the 2004 season with two victories in opening day action from the Triangle Classic, Friday, at Campus Field. The Spartans started the day with a 5-2 victory over Mercer before downing Kent State, 5-3, in the final game of the day.

In game one, Lynsi Pierce tossed a strong seven innings to pick up the victory. Pierce allowed two earned runs, while striking out eight batters. Offensively, Joni Gomez paced the Spartans with three hits and one run batted in, Jennifer Bonilla, Lynsi Pierce and Christina Montana each recorded one hit.

The Spartans opened the scoring in the fourth inning when Pierce was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Montana followed with an RBI single to left field to give the Spartans their second run of the inning. UNCG was able to tack on three additional runs over the final two innings highlighted by a Jennifer Bonilla solo home run to cruise to the victory.

Mercer posted two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Kerri Ryskamp doubled home Kelly Bertscher for Mercer's first run. Ryskamp then scored on a Meghan Clark sacrifice fly, but the Bears would fail to score again.

C.J. Martin paced the Mercer offense going 2-for-3.

In game two, UNCG capitalized on three Kent State errors in the opening inning to post five runs en route to a 5-3 victory. Jennifer Hubbard, Vanessa Massie and Jennifer Bonilla each posted hits for the Spartans in the win.

Spartan lefthander Danielle Byrne made the five-run first hold for the victory. Byrne tossed a complete game seven hitter, striking out three, while giving up just one earned run. Kent State managed to get into the scoring column in the fourth inning on a Carri Eneix home run to left field. The Golden Flashes then picked up runs in both the sixth and seventh innings, but it was not enough for the victory.

Eneix posted two hits in three at-bats for Kent State, driving in one run and scoring one.

Play will continue Saturday and Sunday in the Triangle Classic with the tournament shifting back to the home site in Raleigh, NC.