ROCK HILL, SC – The UNC Greensboro softball team advanced to the final of the adidas Invitational with a 5-3 win over Southern Conference rival Elon in the semifinals but fell to host Winthrop 5-0 in the final.

The Spartans, who advanced to their first tournament final since the 2004 season when they claimed the Seahawk Classic tournament title, concluded the weekend with a 4-2 tournament record. Freshman Amber Harrell was named to the All-Tournament team for her efforts throughout the weekend.

UNCG (17-14) led from start to finish in game one against Elon. The Spartans struck first in the first inning taking a 2-0 advantage with runs from Mary Greenway and Brittany Ausley. Greenway started things with a double and Ausley followed with a RBI double with sent Greenway around the bases.

Elon's pitcher walked the next batter which moved Ausley to third base and then Kara Clouser was hit by a pitch which brought Ausley across home plate to give UNCG the early lead.

Elon managed to cut the lead to 2-1 when Melanie Helterbran led off the top of the second with a solo home run out of left field to cut the lead to one at 2-1.

The Spartans added two more runs in the bottom of the third. Whitney Sirois singled up the middle and Clouser singled through the left side to put two runners on base before Lyndsay Mouse doubled to right centerfield to send both runners home and give the Spartans a 4-1 lead.

UNCG added another run in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single from Clouser that scored Sirois to put the Spartans up 5-1. Elon added two more runs in the seventh inning but the Spartans took the victory.

Amber Harrell picked up the win after twirling 4.0 innings and giving up one run on hour hits. Vanessa Oakes came in at the start of the fifth inning in relief.

UNCG couldn't find a run in the championship game and were shutout by the host Winthrop Eagles. Winthrop struck first in the first inning with a RBI single that drove sophomore Tessa Thomas home. Thomas leadoff the innings with a single to centerfield and then advanced on a sacrifice bunt.

Winthrop struck again in the third inning when UNCG pitcher Hannah Angel walked Lauren Blaser and Blaser then scored on a passed ball. UNCG couldn't get any offense going and couldn't stop the Eagles who scored three more runs to take the tournament title.

Angel suffered the loss by allowing four runs on five hits in 4.0 innings of work. Amber Harrell came in to relieve Angel and gave up one run on two hits.

Brandi Schnute, Brittany Ausley, Kara Clouser, Adriane Audley, and Heather Branche each tallied one hit in the loss.

The Spartans return to UNCG Softball Stadium on March 15 when they host Charlotte in a doubleheader. Game one is scheduled to begin at 3 pm with game two to begin at approximately 5 pm.

AGATE
Game One
UNCG               202       010       0          5-8-1
ELON               010       000       2          3-6-0

UNCG: Amber Harrell, TOW: Carol Lilley
W: Harrell (4-8). L: Lilley (4-5). SV: None.

Game Two
UNCG               000       000       0          0-6-2
GWU                101       020       1          5-6-0

UNCG: Hannah Angel and Vanessa Oakes, GWU: Trottier
W: Trottier L: Angel (5-4).SV: None.

- UNCG -