JACKSONVILLE, FL UNC Greensboro scored eight runs in the fifth inning for a 9-0 victory over Southern Illinois in opening day action at the Jacksonville University Tournament at the JU Softball Complex. The victory was UNCG's first season-opening win since the 2004 season. Later in the afternoon, the Spartans fell 1-0 to Minnesota.
UNCG (1-1) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning sparked by a double by senior first baseman Jennifer Bonilla which scored Mary Greenway. The Spartans unleashed their bats in the fifth inning, tallying eight runs on eight hits.
Heather Branche went 2-for-2 with one RBI, while Bonilla and Lyndsay Mouse each went 1-for-2 with one run scored. Bonilla and Adriane Audley also each tallied two RBI.
Senior Vanessa Oakes (1-0) picked up her first win of the season, recording five innings of work and allowing no runs on four hits. The Wilmington, NC native struck out seven batters in her first complete game of the season.
Southern Illinois' Cassidy Scroggins suffered the loss after allowing six UNCG runs on seven hits in four innings of work.
In the late game against Minnesota (1-0), the Gophers scored the game's only run in the first inning behind an error at second base and a Minnesota stolen base. Minnesota's Collen Conway was able to come home for the lone run of the game when Katie Meyer hit a single up the middle.
UNCG had several chances to tie the game. The Spartans had Brittany Ausley and Lyndsay Mouse on in the third inning but couldn't find a hit to bring either around. The Spartans had another chance for the game-tying score in the fifth with Greenway and Ausley on base, but couldn't produce a hit to bring a run in.
Audley led the Spartans with two hits in the nightcap. Sophomore Hannah Angel (0-1) suffered the tough-luck loss after allowing one run on three hits in five innings fo work. Freshman Amber Harrell worked two scoreless innings in relief.
Minnesota's Hassett (1-0) went the distance, scattering six hits and striking out six batters.
The Spartans will take on Minnesota at 10 am to begin the second day of action at the JU Tournament. They will take on Southern Illinois at 4 pm.
AGATE
Game One
Line Score 12345 R-H-E
UNC Greensboro 000 18 - 9 11 0 (1-0)
Southern Illinois. 000 00 - 0 4 0 (0-1)
Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Oakes. Southern Illinois - Scoggins; Hamby (5).
Win-Oakes (1-0) Loss-Scoggins (0-1) T-1:36 A-435
Game Two
Line Score 123456 7 R-H-E
Minnesota 100 000 0 - 1 5 2 (1-0)
UNCG 000 000 0 - 0 6 3 (1-1)
Pitchers: Minnesota - Hassett. UNC Greensboro - Angel,; Harrell (6).Win-Hassett (1-0) Loss-Angel (0-1) T-2:01 A-433
