GREENSBORO, NC UNC Greensboro used a seven run sixth inning in a 7-4 come from behind win over league-leader College of Charleston on Senior Day at UNCG Softball Stadium. The UNCG win prevented a
College of Charleston series sweep and gave the Spartans their sixth Southern Conference win of the season.
The teams were scoreless heading into the fourth inning until College of Charleston (31-21, 13-5 SoCon) got a home run over the left field wall from Jennifer Golden to give them the early 1-0 advantage. College of Charleston added to their tally in the top of the sixth inning, scoring three runs to push their lead to 4-0.
The Cougars started the third inning with a double from Kristie Shifflett. UNCG (26-33, 6-12 SoCon) then intentionally walked Golden to put two runners on base. Charleston loaded the bases with a single from designated player Shannon Howard. Darla Roberson, who was pinch running for Schifflett, was plated on an RBI single from Katie Pesature which advanced the other runners a base. Howard and Golden were plated one batter later with a two RBI single from Brittany Small.
The Spartans wouldn't be discouraged and responded with seven runs on eight hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. Mary Greenway hit a leadoff single and advanced to second on a stolen base. Adriane Audley followed with a single which plated Greenway. UNCG responded with two consecutive singles from Bonilla and Leslie Furness which plated Audley and cut the College of Charleston lead to 4-2.
With Bonilla on third base and Furness on second with no outs, the Spartans used a sacrifice from third baseman Kara Clouser to advance Laura Olenderski, who was pinch running for Furness, to third base and score Bonilla to pull UNCG within one. Freshman Brittany Ausley continued the clutch hitting for the Spartans with a RBI single which brought Olenderski home to tie the game at 4-4.
Brandi Schnute, who was pinch hitting for Koury Duncan, was able to put the Spartans ahead with a RBI double, which plated Ausley to put UNCG up by a score of 5-4. Heather Branche responded with a RBI double in the next at bat which brought Schnute home and extended the UNCG lead to 6-4. Branche, who advanced to third base on a wild pitch, was sent around the bases with a RBI single from Greenway to give UNCG the 7-4 lead.
The Spartan defense held in the seventh inning and didn't allow the Cougars a hit. Vanessa Oakes (11-10) picked up the win after allowing four runs on eight hits. She issued three walks and had three strikeouts. Greenway led the Spartans from the plate by going 3-for-4 with three stolen bases. The Roanoke, VA native currently has 38 stolen bases on the season and is two stolen bases away from setting the single season record for the Spartans, currently held by Spartan great Leigh Irwin.
UNCG travels down I-40 next week for their final Southern Conference series of the season when they take on SoCon rival Elon May 5-6.
AGATE
Score by Innings R H E
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COFC................ 000 103 0 - 4 8 1
UNCG................ 000 007 X - 7 9 0
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E - A. Shifflett. LOB - COFC 7; UNCG 4. 2B - K. Shifflett; Schnute; Branche. HR - Golden. HBP - Duncan. SH - Branche. SF - Clouser. SB - Greenway 3; Branche.
Win - Oakes (11-10). Loss - Mesko (16-10). Save - None. WP - Sansouci. HBP - by Mesko (Duncan).Umpires - HP: Eddie Walker 1B: Art Stowe 3B: Anthony Tutt Start: 1 pm Time: 1:41 Attendance: 251
