GREENSBORO, NC UNC Greensboro earned a split in a non-conference doubleheader with Radford Wednesday afternoon at UNCG Softball Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Highlanders 2-1 in the early game while Radford rallied for a 3-1 win to claim the split in the late game.
The Spartans (13-12) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly from Brittany Ausley that drove third baseman Kara Clouser home. The Highlanders managed to tie things up in top of the sixth inning by scoring one run on one hit. Radford opened with a leadoff single from Ashley Carlson, who was driven home three batters later when Cassie Rhodes grounded out to the shortstop.
Catcher Leslie Furness added what proved to be the game winning run in the bottom of the sixth when she blasted her third home run of the season over the left field wall to give the Spartans a 2-1 advantage. Radford was able to load the bases in the seventh inning but UNCG pitcher Vanessa Oakes (6-2) was able to pitch out of the danger to give the Spartans their first win in their last four outings.
Oakes allowed one run on six hits over the distance. She walked one and had five strikeouts. Furness and Closer led UNCG by going 3-for-1at the plate. Both scored one run on one hit and Furness had one RBI.
Radford's Ashley Taylor suffered the loss after allowing two runs on five hits in 6.0 innings. She walked two and had nine strikeouts. Ashley Carlson led the way for the Highlanders and finished 4-for-3 with a run scored to pace the Highlanders six hit offense.
In the nightcap, Radford jumped out to the early lead in the top of the third inning. The Highlanders opened the inning with a leadoff single from Michelle Carlson who moved to second on a stolen base. Ashley Carlson followed with a single to right field which put two runners on base. Michelle Carlson came around the bases on a wild pitch from Amber Harrell on the next play to give Radford the 1-0 advantage.
The Highlanders had back-to-back doubles in their next two at bats which drove in Ashley Carlson and Ashley Taylor to give Radford a 3-0 lead. The teams were scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning when Clouser hit her third home run of the season to put UNCG on the board but it the Spartans couldn't mount a comeback as Lyndsay Mouse grounded out to third base to end the game.
Harrell (3-7) suffered the loss after allowing three runs on eight hits in 7.0 innings of work. Clouser led the way for the Spartans by finishing with one run on one hit and one RBI as the Spartans collected three hits.
Radford's Bre Felix picked up the win after allowing one run on three hits over the distance. The Highlander pitcher also had 10 strikeouts.
The Spartans are next in action March 9-11 when they head to Rock Hill, SC for the adidas Invitational Tournament hosted by Winthrop. UNCG opens the tournament against Charleston Southern at Noon on Friday and takes on Providence at 4 pm.
AGATE
Game One
Line Score 123456 78 R-H-E
Radford 000 001 0 - 1 6 2
UNCG 000 011 X - 2 5 1
Pitchers: Radford - FELIX, Bre; TAYLOR, Ashley(1). UNCG - Oakes,Vanessa.
Win-Oakes,Vanessa(6-2) Loss-TAYLOR, Ashley(4-7) T-1:30 A-150
E-Taylor, A, Davidson A, Mouse, L. LOB- RU 6, UNCG 6. 2B-Roderick, A, Clouser. HR - Furness,Leslie SF-Ausley. SB-Carlson, A; Branche. CS-Carlson, A.
Game Two
Line Score 123456 78 R-H-E
Radford 003 000 0 - 3 8 1
UNCG 000 000 1 - 1 3 2
Pitchers: Radford - FELIX, Bre. UNCG - Harrell,Amber.
Win-FELIX, Bre(6-3) Loss-Harrell,Amber(3-7) T-1:40 A-125
E-Creasy, H; Audley 2. LOB-RU 6, UNCG 3. 2B-Taylor A.; Himan, S. HR- Clouser,Kara SH-Carlson, M. SB-Davidson, A' Carlson, M, Bonilla
