UNCG-James Madison Box Score UNCG-Charlotte Box Score

Charlotte, NC – The UNC Greensboro softball team split a pair of games, Saturday, on day two of the 2004 49er Invitational hosted by UNC Charlotte. The Spartans blanked James Madison University, 1-0, in the opening game of the day before falling to Charlotte, 5-2.

In game one, JMU threatened to put the first run on the board in the bottom of the fourth as Kelly Berkemeierdoubled down the right field line to open the inning. Liz George and sophomore Megan Smith walked to load the bases, but JMU would leave the trio stranded.

UNCG scored the only run of the game in the top of the fifth inning as freshman Christiana Montana scored from third on freshman Adriane Audley's single up the middle.

JMU attempted to mount a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Spartan freshman Vanessa Oakes retired the final two batters of the game to earn the win. 

Oakes improved to 7-3 on the season; Briana Carrera was saddled with the loss and falls to 3-3 on the year.

In game two, the Spartans (16-7) opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning when Joni Gomez walked and later scored when Lynsi Pierce reached on an error by the Charlotte thirdbaseman.

UNC Greensboro would hold the lead until the fourth inning, when Charlotte (8-6) picked up two runs. Jessica Moore put the Niners on the board, scoring on Autumn Lawson's fielder's choice. She scored what proved to be the winning run later in the inning, when Denise Atmar reached base on a Spartans error.

The Spartans struck again in the fifth inning as Vanessa Massie drove in Gomez who led off the inning with a double, but it was not enough as the 49ers would hold off UNCG for the victory.

Gomez, Massie and Jennifer Hubbard paced the Spartan offense with two hits each, while Lynsi Pierce was saddled with the loss despite going a strong seven innings, striking out five.

The Spartans will continue action from the 49er Invitational on Sunday against Georgia Southern.