GREENSBORO, NC Junior right-hander Vanessa Oakes pitched a complete game shutout in game one and junior Jennifer Bonilla had a game-winning three-run double in the nightcap to send UNC Greensboro to a non-conference doubleheader sweep of UNC Wilmington Wednesday afternoon at UNCG Softball Stadium.
The Spartans won the first game 2-0 behind the work of Oakes (6-6). The Wilmington, NC native beat the Seahawks for the second time this season by giving up six hits and one walk, while striking out three batters in 7.0 innings of work.
Meanwhile, Bonilla's bases clearing double in the bottom half of the seventh inning gave UNCG (12-17) an 8-7 victory in the nightcap.
In game one, freshman catcher Leslie Furness gave the Spartans all the runs they needed with a two-run home run to left field in the fourth as UNCG snapped a brief three-game skid.
The Seahawks put together a rally in the seventh after Oakes retired the first two batters. Meghan Murray singled and Whitney Knudsen reached on an error, but Ali Gardiner lined out to center to end the game.
Furness was the hitting hero with her second homer of the season, while Bonilla, Lyndsay Mouse and Kelly Allen each added a single for the Spartans.
Murray and Carly Hughes each went 2-for-3 in game one for UNCW (20-18). Jennifer Bosley (8-9) was saddled with the loss after allowing only four hits and two runs. She walked three and struck out five over the distance
The nightcap was a slugfest as the two clubs combined for 15 runs and 26 hits.
The Spartans headed to the bottom of the seventh inning trailing 7-5 as UNCW took the lead by scoring three runs in the sixth and added another in the top of the seventh. Freshman Stephanie Talarek and junior Kara Clouser roped consecutive singles to center to start the Spartan seventh. Junior Heather Branche then placed a bunt single between the UNCW pitcher and first baseman that loaded the bases with no body out.
Junior Adriane Audley and senior Krista Judge followed with groundouts that forced out Talarek and Clouser respectively at the plate Bonilla promptly followed with a laser over the left fielder's head that caromed off the wall scoring Branche, Audley and Judge, who flew around the bases and scored from first for the game's winning run.
Kelli Adcox had given UNCW a 6-5 lead in the sixth with a two-RBI double to right-centerfield, while Gardner added what looked to be an insurance run at the time with an RBI single in the seventh to put the Seahawks ahead 7-5.
Both teams scored three runs in the first inning, before UNCG grabbed a 5-3 lead in the third on two straight RBI infield singles by Clouser and Branche.
Senior Danielle Byrne (2-4) got the win after working the seventh inning in relief. Oakes started and gave up six runs on eight hits over 6.0 innings.
Jess Luckett (6-7) suffered the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on 12 hits over 6.0 innings after being summoned from the bullpen with two outs in the first. Stacey Bradley started and allowed three runs on four hits in 0.2 of an inning.
Talarek was a perfect 4-for-4 in the nightcap to lead a season-high 16-hit attack for UNCG. Clouser was 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Branche, Audley and Bonilla each had two hits and a run scored. Bonilla had four RBIs.
Murray, Gardiner, Hughes, Adcox and Lindsay Styons each had two hits for the Seahawks. Hughes hit a solo homer with one out in the sixth.
UNCG continues its home stand when the Spartans host Longwood Thursday for a doubleheader beginning at 4 pm.
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