UNCG-Radford Game 1 UNCG-Radford Game 2
Danielle Byrne went 2-for-2 in the second game, while also picking up the win |
Greensboro, NC - After falling to Radford 6-5 in the first game, the UNC Greensboro softball team hit four home runs en route to a 9-0 victory over the Highlanders in the second game of the twin bill Wednesday afternoon at Campus Field. UNCG moves to 19-11on the season and Radford goes to 14-20 overall.
In the second game, UNCG connected on back-to-back homers in the bottom of the second with two outs to take an early 2-0 lead. Lynsi Pierce hit the first to right center and Danielle Byrne followed with a shot to left center.
Vanessa Massie led off the third inning with a walk and was quickly driven in as Jennifer Hubbard homered to straight away center, stretching the Spartans' lead to 4-0.
The fourth inning saw the Spartans bat around and score five runs. Adriane Audley led off the inning with a solo shot to right center. Three consecutive singles by the Spartans pushed another run across the plate. Radford then made a pitching change, bringing Breanna Felix back into the game. Felix quickly coaxed the Spartans into two outs before Joni Gomez singled, scoring Byrne. Jennifer Bonilla followed with another single, scoring Gomez and Christina Montana.
The Spartans held the Highlanders scoreless in the top of the fifth, securing the 9-0 victory.
With the win Danielle Byrne improves to 5-3 on the season. She struck out five, while not allowing a walk in 5.0 innings of work en route to the shutout. Felix was credited with the loss as she worked 3.0 innings, allowing five earned runs and five hits. Kat Peck worked 1.0 inning in relief, giving up four runs on four hits.
Radford scored four runs in the second inning and two in the fifth and held off a late charging Spartan squad to hold on for the win in the first game, 6-5. UNCG jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead after one inning on just two hits. The first run scored on a sacrifice fly by Audley before Pierce homered, bringing in three more runs. The Highlanders countered with four runs of their own in the top of the second thanks to four hits and two costly Spartan errors.
The Highlanders then added two more insurance runs in the top of the fifth. Hallie East got the Highlanders inning rolling with a walk. Felix came in to pinch run for East and quickly stole second. Colleen Casey followed with a two run blast to give the Highlanders a 6-4 cushion. The Spartans added one more run in the bottom of the sixth as Gomez homered, but could get no closer.
Jennifer Bosley earned the victory for Radford, improving to 9-9 on the season. She gave up four earned runs on six hits, struck out five and allowed just two walks in 6.0 innings of work. Kat Peck picked up the save for the Highlanders. Linsi Pierce got the loss for the Spartans as she allowed three earned runs on five hits in just 1.1 innings. Lynsi Pierce worked 5.2 innings in relief, allowing two runs on two hits, while fanning four.
UNCG will open up Southern Conference play this weekend at home against Furman. The two will meet for a double-header on Saturday, March 27 at 1 pm and turn around for a single game on Sunday, March 28.
