Wilmington, NC – The UNCG softball team picked up two wins, Sunday, on the final day of the 2004 Seahawk Classic to claim the tournament championship. The Spartans defeated tournament host UNC Wilmington, 4-3, before edging St. John's, 4-3, in the title game from Boseman Field.
In the championship game, Kelly Allen capped a three-run first for UNC Greensboro with a two-run double as the Spartans opened the game with five straight hits and held off St. John's for a 4-3 win in the Seahawk Classic Championship. Tournament MVP Vanessa Oakes tossed a complete game eight-hitter, walked three and struck out three.
UNCG added a run in the top of the second for a 4-0 lead when Joni Gomez singled home Adriane Audley from second base with two outs.
The Red Storm plated a run in the third and cut the deficit to 4-3 with two more in the fifth. Megan Oliver doubled to open the fifth and scored on Jo Sherlock's double two batters later. Sherlock scored on Jillian Sandoval's single, but Allina Sainz was thrown out going to third by the right fielder.
In the semifinal game, UNC Greensboro freshman Adriane Audley's sacrifice fly to left in the top of the seventh scored Vanessa Massie to give the Spartans a 4-3 win over UNC Wilmington
Junior outfielder Christina Elmore led the Seahawks with three hits and junior Jamie Gostyla added two. Junior Amanda Wilson dipped to 1-2 on the season despite tossing 3.1 hitless innings and allowing an unearned run.
Audley paced the Spartans going 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and a run batted in. Freshman Vanessa Oakes earned the win, striking out four in 4.1 innings.
UNCW took a 2-0 in the bottom of the third on freshman Krista Searle's two-out, two-run double off the centerfield wall. Junior Christina Elmore opened the inning with a single through the leftside. Following a ground out, Elmore moved to third on sophomore Hayley Houses's single to left. House stole second and one out later, Elmore and House scored on Searle's double.
UNCG answered back in the top of the fourth on sophomore catcher Kelly Allen's two-run double to center. Audley opened the inning with a walk and moved into scoring position when senior second baseman Joni Gomez walked. Allen then drove a 2-0 pitch off the wall in center to tie the game. Allen scored the go-ahead run two batters later on a double play ball.
In the Seahawk sixth, senior Chrity Ross singled to open the inning and moved to second on a ground out. Junior Jamie Gostyla singled up the middle scoring pinch runner Stephanie Edwards with the tying run.
Again, the Spartans answered with a run of their own in their next at-bat. Massie was hit by a pitch leading off, moved to second on a wild pitch and then to third on a fielding error. Audley then lifted a fly ball to left center scoring Massie with the winning run.
All-Tournament Team:
Brandi Steiner (Wright State); Meg Oliver (St. John's), Jo Sherlock (St. John's), Lynsi Pierce (UNCG), Winthrop Janiva Willis (Winthrop), Jessica Murray (Dela. State), Christy Ross (UNCW), Christina Elmore (UNCW), Sarah Crowell (UMBC).
Tournament MVP: Vanessa Oakes (UNCG)
