CHARLOTTE, NC The UNC Greensboro softball team opened the day with an 8-2 victory over Southern Conference rival Western Carolina but fell to Marshall, 13-5 in the late game to earn a split on the afternoon in second day action at the First Pitch Classic.
UNCG (7-8) and Western Carolina both put runs on the board in the first inning. Shortstop Adriane Audley continued her impressive hitting with an RBI double which drove home teammate Mary Greenway to keep the game notched at one run apiece.
Western Carolina struck again in the top of the third inning, to take a 2-1 advantage. UNCG pitcher Vanessa Oakes walked the first batter of the inning and the Catamounts reached on a fielding error by Lyndsay Mouse. Western Carolina's Sam Stepp was able to round the bases when Oakes threw a wild pitch.
The Catamounts wouldn't get any closer as the Spartans scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-2 lead heading into the fourth. UNCG added five more runs on seven hits to pick up the win.
Audley was 4-for-3 at the plate with one run scored and two RBI while Brittany Ausley added two RBI and scored her fourth home run of the season.
Vanessa Oakes got the win allowing two runs on four hits in 7.0 innings of work. The righty walked two and struck out seven. She moves to 3-1 on the season.
In the late game, Marshall took a commanding 3-1 lead in the first inning, although the Spartans were the first team to get a run across the plate when Ausley scored her second run in as many games.
Marshall began the game with a leadoff single through the left side and was able to load the bases. J.J. Bitner came home first for the Thundering Herd on a RBI single from and three more Marshall hits brought three runners around the bases to give them the 3-1 advantage.
The Spartans were able to answer with a run by Clouser in the second but four runs on five hits in the fifth inning gave Marshall the win.
Amber Harrell suffered the loss, allowing seven runs on nine hits in 4.0 innings of work. Hannah Angel saw 1.2 innings in relief and allowed six runs on seven hits.
Clouser was 3-for-2 at the plate with two runs scored while Greenway was 3-for-2 at the plate with one run scored. Jennifer Bonilla, Heather Branche and Closer each recorded one RBI.
The Spartans conclude action at the First Pitch Classic tomorrow. Single elimination games begin at 10 am. Check Charlotte49ers.com for more information.
AGATE
Game One
Line Score 123456 78 R-H-E
Western Carolina 101 000 0 - 2 4 5 (2-8)
UNCG 102 212 X - 8 12 1 (7-7)
Pitchers: Western Carolina - Filley; McKenzie(4). UNCG - Oakes,Vanessa. Win-Oakes,Vanessa(3-1) Loss-Filley(0-3) T-1:40 A-131 HR WCU - Smith. HR UNCG - Ausley,Brittany.
Game One
Game Two
Line Score 123456 R-H-E
UNCG 110 210 - 5 10 3 (7-8)
Marshall 311 242 - 13 16 1 (7-7)
Pitchers: UNCG - Harrell,Amber; Angel,Hannah(5). Marshall - HARTER, Abby; DESTEFANO, E(6). Win-HARTER, Abby(4-3) Loss-Harrell,Amber(2-4) T-2:07 A-74 HR MARSHALL - RODRIGUEZ, S; GUZZO, Gina.
