UNCG-Longwood Game One UNCG-Longwood Game Two
Greensboro, NC - The UNC Greensboro softball team split a nonconference doubleheader, Thursday afternoon, with Longwood University. The Spartans took game one 7-1 before falling in the nightcap, 2-1.
In game one, UNCG (27-23) jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage in the first inning. Jennifer Hubbard opened the scoring with a leadoff home run that sailed just over the center field fence. Following a Christina Montana single, Joni Gomez blasted a two-run home run to left field.
After tacking on single runs in the second and third innings, highlighted by a solo home run by Jennifer Bonilla, the Spartans posted an additional two runs in the fourth inning, putting the game out of reach. Heather Branche reached on an error to open the frame. After advancing to third, Branche scored on a perfectly executed bunt by Montana. Bonilla would cap the inning with a RBI double to right center, plating Joni Gomez who reached on a fielder's choice.
Longwood (37-13) would rally for a single run in the top of the sixth inning. Shamana Washington and Heather Williams registered back-to-back singles to leadoff the inning. Washington would later score the lone Lancer run on a Spartan fielding error, but it was not enough for the victory.
Danielle Byrne worked all seven innings for UNCG, allowing no earned runs on four hits, while striking out one. Offensively, Montana led the Spartans with four hits, while Bonilla went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in.
Jen Steele took the loss for Longwood, giving up six earned runs in six innings. Washington went 1-for-2 with one run scored to lead the Lancers at the plate.
In game two, Abbey Welch threw a complete game three-hitter and Mallory Gordon went 2-for-4 at the plate, as Longwood salvaged a split of the doubleheader.
The Lancers scored their lone two runs in the third frame. Megan Camden opened the inning with a single to left field before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt. Mallory Gordon then plated Camden with a RBI single to center field. After advancing to third, Gordon scored on a throwing error by Spartan pitcher Vanessa Oakes as she attempted to complete a double play, after snagging a line drive off the bat of Washington.
UNCG would answer with a single run in the sixth inning. With two outs, Adriane Audley registered an infield single and later scored on a fielding error by the Lancer defense. However, the Spartans would remain scoreless over the remainder of the contest, as Longwood held on for the victory.
Vanessa Oakes was saddled with the loss despite allowing just one earned run in six innings of work. Audley went 2-for-3 at the plate to pace the Spartan attack.
UNCG will return to action on Saturday, April 24, as the Spartans host Southern Conference rival Georgia Southern in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.
