GREENSBORO, NC – Kelly Allen's three-run homer in the first inning led UNC Greensboro to a 4-3 victory over Furman in Southern Conference softball action from UNCG Softball Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The win gives the Spartans the series victory after the two clubs split a doubleheader Saturday.

Furman (20-23, 3-6 SoCon) stuck for a run in the first inning for the third time this weekend for a 1-0 lead, but Allen came up with one out and runners on first and second base when she blasted an opposite field homer off the bottom of the scoreboard in right-centerfield for a 3-1 Spartan lead.

UNCG (15-19, 2-4 SoCon) pushed across what ultimately proved to be the game's winning run when Furman third baseman Abby Robertson's errant throw went wide of first base and caromed down the right field foul line, allowing Heather Branche to score all the way from first after she reached on an infield single.

Robertson made up for her fielding error with an RBI double in the fourth to cut the Furman deficit to 4-2. The Lady Paladins then made it 4-3 with a solo blast by Joni Lockridge to lead off the top half of the fifth.

In the sixth, Furman got runners on second and third with two outs, but Lockridge flied out to center to end the rally. UNCG starter Vanessa Oakes then retired the Lady Paladins three up-three down in the seventh to garner the complete game victory.

Oakes improved to 8-6 on the season after allowing three runs on seven hits, while striking out a career-high 11 hitters.

Allen now has 19 homers in her career and is one shy of tying former teammates Joni Gomez and Jennifer Hubbard for third on the all-time home run list with 20 roundtrippers.

Erica Nesselroad (4-2) suffered the loss after not being able to get an out in the second inning. She allowed three runs on two hits in 1.0 plus inning of work. Blake Murray pitched 5.0 innings and gave up one unearned run on three hits.

Robertson, Lockridge and Megan Jaudon each had two hits for the Lady Paladins.

UNCG hits the road after 14 straight games at home to take on Charlotte on Wednesday for a 4 pm doubleheader in Charlotte. Meanwhile, Furman hosts Winthrop on Wednesday for a non-league doubleheader.

AGATE
Game One       123       456       7          R-H-E
Furman             100       110       0          3-7-1
UNCG               310       000       x          4-5-0

FU: Erica Nesselroad, Blake Murray (2) and Megan Jaudon  UNCG: Vanessa Oakes and Leslie Furness
W: Oakes (8-6). L: Nesselroad (4-2). SV: None.

- UNCG -