CHARLOTTE, NC The UNC Greensboro softball team scored two runs in the first and second innings to defeat Drexel 6-2 in their second game of the First Pitch Classic hosted by UNC Charlotte. The Spartans fell in extra innings to host Charlotte, 3-1 in the early game but earned a split on the day with their win over Drexel.
UNCG (6-7) jumped out to the early 2-0 advantage in the first inning against Drexel. Brittany Ausley got things started with a leadoff single through the right side. Ausley advanced to second when outfielder Mary Greenway grounded out to the pitcher and rounded the bases when senior Adriane Audley smacked her third home run of the season.
The Spartans were able to extend their lead to 4-0 with back-to-back home runs by Lyndsay Mouse and Kara Closer to start the second inning. UNCG tried to get runners on base but Whitney Sirois grounded out to the pitcher in the next at bat and Leslie Furness and Ausley both struck out looking to end the frame.
Drexel finally got two runs on the board in the bottom of the third inning. The Dragons opened the inning with a single to the shortstop and scored when they were able to capitalize on two UNCG errors which cut the Spartan lead to 4-2.
The teams were scoreless for the next two innings but UNCG was able to tack on insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Furness scored a leadoff homer in the top of the sixth inning and Ausley, who Drexel pitcher Amanda Shattack walked to begin the inning, made her way around the bases and crossed the plate when Shattack walked Mouse.
Ausley was 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored while Furness and Jennifer Bonilla were both 2-for-4 from the plate. Mouse and Audley each had two RBI.
Hannah Angel picked up her second win of the season and allowed two runs on nine hits in 7.0 innings of work. She allowed no earned runs and had five strikeouts on the evening.
In the first game against Charlotte, the Spartans got on the board first for the 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the second. The Spartans were able to get two on base and third baseman Kara Clouser came across the plate when Ausley reached on a fielder's choice.
Charlotte was able to tie the game up in the top of the third inning. Sarah Malene opened the inning with a leadoff single and stole second base before teammate Becky Matthews brought her home with a RBI single.
The game remained scoreless through the regulation seven innings so the teams went into eight innings and placed runners on second base according to international tie-breaker rules.
Charlotte placed Matthews on second and had two quick outs which advanced Matthews to third but a wild pitch by Harrell brought Matthews across the plate. The 49ers added another run when pinch runner Alyssa Kemmerer came home on an RBI single from teammate Jenny Rumbles. UNCG had a chance to tie it up or take the win in the bottom of the inning but couldn't find a hit to bring anyone around the bases.
Amber Harrell suffered the loss allowing three runs on eight hits in 8.0 innings of work. She walked four and had eight strikeouts on the afternoon. Harrell falls to 2-3 on the season.
The Spartans had three hits on the afternoon and didn't have any players with multiple hits.
UNCG resumes action at the First Pitch Classic Saturday when they take on Southern Conference rival Western Carolina at 4:30 pm on Saturday and Marshall at 6:30 pm.
AGATE
Game One
Line Score 123456 78 R-H-E
Charlotte 001 000 02 - 3 8 1 (12-0)
UNCG 010 000 00 - 1 3 2 (5-7)
Pitchers: Charlotte - C. Murray. UNCG - Harrell,Amber.
Win-C. Murray(6-0) Loss-Harrell,Amber(2-3) T-2:00 A-159
Game Two
Line Score 123456 7 R-H-E
UNCG 220 001 1 - 6 10 2 (6-7)
Drexel 002 000 0 - 2 9 1 (0-2)
Pitchers: UNCG - Angel,Hannah. Drexel - Gaudier; Gomez(2); Shattuck(6).
Win-Angel,Hannah(2-3) Loss-Gaudier(0-1) T-2:07 A-111
HR UNCG - Audley,Adriane; Furness,Leslie; Mouse,Lyndsay; Clouser,Kara.
