STATESBORO, GA – UNC Greensboro used a run in the top of the second inning to take a 1-0 victory over Georgia Southern in Southern Conference softball action at Eagle Field Saturday afternoon. The Spartans picked up their fifth win with a 2-0 win in game two to take the doubleheader sweep, their first of the season.
UNCG (25-30, 5-9 SoCon) came out hitting in game one. In the top of the first inning right fielder Mary Greenway hit a leadoff double and advanced to third base when Brittany Ausley flied out to center field UNCG was able to get another runner on base when Georgia Southern pitcher Melissa Laliberte walked catcher Leslie Furness. With runners at first and third the Spartans were looking for a hit to bring Greenway across home plate but the inning ended when Jennifer Bonilla grounded out to first base.
The Spartans held the Eagles scoreless and were able to tally a run in the second frame. Lyndsey Wilson managed to hit a triple to right field with two outs and Lyndsay Mouse hit a single through the right side which plated Wilson and gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead.
UNCG had an opportunity to add to their tally in the third inning. Ausley was walked and advanced to second base with a single from Jennifer Bonilla but both runners were left stranded when Kara Clouser struck out.
Georgia Southern (21-26, 6-7 SoCon) was able to put runners in scoring position in several innings but the stellar pitching of Vanessa Oakes (10-9) was able to keep the Eagles from putting any runs on the board. Oakes allowed no runs on four hits in 7.0 innings of work. She issued one walk and struck out eight batters. Bonilla led the Spartans from the plate by going 2-for-3.
In game two the two teams were held scoreless until the seventh inning when the Spartans were able to put two runs across home plate to take the sweep.
Bonilla led off the decisive inning with a walk. Laura Olenderski, pinch running for Bonilla, scored from first on a double by Brandi Schnute to break the deadlock. After a strikeout, two walks loaded the bases and a Georgia Southern error plated designated player Schnute to give UNCG their fifth Southern Conference victory of the season.
Amber Harrell (10-12) picked up the win after allowing no runs on four hits. She fanned eight and issued no walks. UNCG was led by Schnute who was 1-for-1 at the plate with one run scored.
The teams will conclude the series tomorrow with a single game tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.
AGATE
GAME ONE
UNCG................ 010 000 0 - 1 7 0
Georgia Southern.... 000 000 0 - 0 5 0
LOB - Spartans 9; Eagles 6. 2B - Greenway. 3B - Wilson. SB - Greenway; Mouse.
Win - Oakes (10-9). Loss - Laliberte (8-11). Save - None. Umpires - HP: Larry McCaden 1B: Billy Mortonson 3B: Dennis Stanford Start: 12:57 pm Time: 1:50 Attendance: 93
GAME TWO
UNCG................ 000 000 2 - 2 3 0
Georgia Southern.... 000 000 0 - 0 4 1
E - H. Smith(5). DP - Spartans 1. LOB - Spartans 7; Eagles 3. 2B - Schnute(2).
Win - Harrell (10-12). Loss - Free (7-11). Save - None. Umpires - HP: Billy Mortonson 1B: Dennis Stanford 3B: Larry McCaden Start: 3:15 pm Time: 1:50
- UNCG -
