GREENVILLE, SC The UNC Greensboro softball team dropped its Southern Conference opener as Furman swept the Spartans in doubleheader action at Pepsi Softball Stadium on Saturday afternoon. UNCG fell 2-0 in game one and Furman claimed the sweep with a 3-1 win in the late game. UNCG (17-20) extends its losing streak to seven games with the losses.
Furman struck first in game one and scored in the bottom of the first. Amber Kiser hit a leadoff single and advanced to second base on a sacrifice from Abby Robertson. Kiser was plated with an RBI single from Stephanie Cushing.
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning when Furman extended their lead to 2-0 with a solo home run from Kiser. The Spartans secured their only hit of the game in the sixth inning when Jennifer Bonilla hit a single up the middle.
Vanessa Oakes (7-4) suffered the loss after allowing two runs on four hits in six innings of work. Oakes had two strikeouts and didn't issue any walks.
In the late game, the game was scoreless heading into the bottom of the sixth when Furman exploded for three runs to take the doubleheader sweep.
Furman's Danielle Franklin led the inning with a triple to right center and came home on a RBI triple from Blake Murray. Kiser followed with a single down the left field line which plated Murray and gave the Paladins a 2-0 lead. Furman closed the inning with a RBI single from Megan Jaudon to take the 3-0 lead into the final frame.
UNCG responded in the top of the seventh and put a run on the board when Mary Greenway came around the bases. Greenway hit a single to first base and moved to second base when Brittany Ausley grounded out to the shortstop. She scored the Spartans only run of the afternoon when Adriane Audley hit an RBI single up the middle.
Amber Harrell (5-11) suffered the loss for the Spartans after allowing three runs on five hits in 5.0 innings of work. She had three strikeouts and issued no walks. Hannah Angel pitched 1.0 innings in relief and allowed two hits.
The Spartans were led by Audley who was 3-for-4 from the plate with one RBI. Jennifer Bonilla also had two hits on the afternoon.
UNCG and Furman conclude their three-game series Sunday at Pepsi Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.
AGATE
GAME ONE
UNCG................ 000 000 0 - 0 1 1
Furman.............. 100 001 X - 2 4 1
Pitchers: UNCG - Oakes,Vanessa. Furman - Mackey.
Win-Mackey(6-6) Loss-Oakes,Vanessa(7-4) T-1:23 A-0
E-Sirois; Campoli. LOB-UNCG 8; Furman 3. HR- Kiser (3). HBP-Ausley. SH-Wilson, Robertson
GAME TWO
UNCG................ 000 000 1 - 1 8 0
Furman.............. 000 003 X - 3 7 1
Pitchers: UNCG - Harrell,Amber; Angel,Hannah(6). Furman - Murray.
Win-Murray(6-7) Loss-Harrell,Amber(5-11) T-1:35 A-131
E-Franklin. LOB-UNCG 9, Furman 3. 2B-Wilson. 3B-Franklin (1), Murray (1). SH-Mouse; Robertson; Blakenship. CS-Kiser
