JACKSONVILLE, FL – The UNC Greensboro softball team lost two games in the second day of action at the Jacksonville University Tournament at the JU Softball Complex in Jacksonville, FL. The Spartans dropped the first game of the day 6-3 to Minnesota and fell to Southern Illinois, 6-2, in the late game.
Senior shortstop Adriane Audley and sophomore Lyndsay Mouse led the Spartans against Southern Illinois each went 1-for-1 at the plate while Jennifer Bonilla had two RBI. Hannah Angel (0-2) worked three innings and allowed three runs on four hits. Vanessa Oakes pitched four innings of relief and allowed three runs on six hits and fanned six batters.
SIU was able to connect in the first inning scoring two runs to take the early lead. Tiffanie Dismore got things started with a single through the left side and advanced to third base before teammate Katie Wilson crushed a home run.
SIU extend its lead when Katie Wagner blasted another homer, giving them a 3-0 lead. UNCG cut the lead to 3-1 in the third inning when Audley hit her first home run of the season, but SIU's Wagner hit her second homer of the game to put the Salukis up 5-1.
Second baseman Mouse singled to left field in the bottom of the fourth and scored when Bonilla singled to right field. However, SIU sealed the game with a run in the top of the sixth and the Spartans couldn't muster much of a threat after that.
In the first game of the day, Minnesota, who UNCG lost to 1-0 on Friday, took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Shannon Stemper drew a one-out walk with the bases loaded. Minnesota's Lisa Parks started the inning with a single to left. The Gophers were able to load the bases when two Minnesota players reached on a walk and a fielder's choice.
The Gophers extended their lead in the fourth inning when Meghan Higgenbothom hit a two-out, bases loaded double to bring all three Minnesota runners home.
UNCG got some runs on the board in the fourth, scoring three runs to cut the Minnesota lead to 4-3. Sophomore Leslie Furness started the inning with a single to right field and Bonilla followed that with a double down the left field line, which scored Mary Greenway. Bonilla and Kara Clouser also scored later in the inning to cut the margin to one.
However, the Spartans had just one more hit in the game and Minnesota was able to put the game away with two runs in the top of the fifth inning.
UNCG was led by Bonilla who was 1-for-1 on the afternoon with one RBI. Brittany Ausley and Heather Branche also had one RBI each.
Amber Harrell, who made her first career start, suffered the loss after allowing six runs on five hits in five innings of work. Senior Vanessa Oakes allowed one hit in two scoreless innings of relief.
Minnesota's Katie Dalen picked up her first win of the season allowing three runs on four hits in 3-2/3 innings of work. Rene Konderik pitched 3-1/3 scoreless innings in relief.
The Spartans will take on host Jacksonville University in their final game at the JU Tournament. First pitch is set for noon.
AGATE
Game One
Minnesota 010 320 0 - 6 6 1
UNC Greensboro 000 300 0 - 3 5 0
Pitchers: Minnesota - Dalen; Konderik(4). UNC-Greensboro - Harrell,Amber; Oakes,Vanessa(6).
Win-Dalen(1-0) Loss-Harrell,Amber(0-1) T-2:26 A-333
Game Two
SIU 210 201 0 - 6 10 0
UNCG 001 100 0 - 2 4 1
Pitchers: SIU - Hamby. UNC-Greensboro - Angel,Hannah; Oakes, Vanessa(4).
Win-Hamby(1-0) Loss-Angel,Hannah(0-2)
- UNCG -
