GREENVILLE, NC – An RBI single from Radford catcher Sarah Himan in the seventh inning proved to be the game winner as the Radford Highlanders defeated the UNC Greensboro softball team, 2-1 in the final of the silver bracket at the East Carolina Pirate Clash on Sunday. UNCG defeated Delaware, 1-0 in the early game to advance to the final.
Hannah Angel fell to 3-6 on the season after twirling six innings of work while allowing two runs on four hits. Lyndsay Mouse was 2-for-3 from the plate to lead the Spartans in the loss.
Both teams had chances to take the lead late in the game. In the sixth inning Radford had runners in scoring position with two outs but a lofty fly out to leftfield caught by Brittany Ausley ended the threat. The Spartans also had a chance in the top of the sixth, with runners on second and third but an unassisted putout at first base ended the inning.
Radford was able to take the early 1-0 lead in the first inning of the late game. A hard driven ball from Radford's Ashley Carlson popped out of the glove of third baseman Whitney Miller putting a runner on base. Carlson then proceeded to steal second and rounded the bases fielders choice.
UNCG answered in the top of the second with a run to tie the game at 1-1. Ashley Taylor walked designated player Leslie Furness to open the inning and shortstop Kaitlin Merkt laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Furness to second. Taylor walked the next two batters to load the bases and a misplayed ball from RU's shortstop sent Furness home. The bases remained loaded but UNCG couldn't muster another hit to take the lead.
Amber Harrell (6-5) had a no hitter going until the top of the sixth inning in their win over Delaware in the early game, when Quinn Megargel hit a single to third base but the Blue Hens couldn't get anything going, leaving her stranded.
Harrell picked up her sixth win of the season after throwing seven innings of work and allowing no runs on one hit while striking out five. Leslie Furness and Whitney Miller came up big at the plate for the Spartans both going 2-for-3 from the plate. Miller scored the lone run while Furness had the RBI.
UNCG came out hitting right from the start against Delaware. After leadoff batter Mary Greenway grounded out to second base Whitney Miller hit a shot through centerfield to get on base. Whitney Miller continued her stellar play with a single which advanced Miller and a double from designated player Leslie Furness sent Miller around the bases to put UNCG ahead, 1-0.
The Blue Hens threatened to tie the score in the third inning. Amber Harrell walked leftfielder Cecile Eagan and a sacrifice bunt in the next at bat moved her to second base. Katie DeSalvo grounded out to the pitcher on the next play which advanced Eagan to third but a ground out to UNCG shortstop Kaitlin Merkt ended the threat.
UNCG almost had an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Furness hit a single and moved to second on the throw before a pop out moved Kristen Gabel, who was pinch running for Furness, to third base although a fly out from Brittany Ausley ended the inning.
The Spartans return to UNCG Softball Stadium for a midweek doubleheader with North Carolina on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 pm.
AGATE
Game One
UNC Greensboro...... 100 000 0 - 1 5 0
Delaware............ 000 000 0 - 0 1 0
Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Amber Harrell. Delaware - Shawn.
Win-Amber Harrell(6-5) Loss-Shawn(1-2) T-1:19 A-50
Game Two
UNC Greensboro...... 010 000 0 - 1 4 1
Radford............. 100 001 X - 2 4 2
Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Hannah Angel. Radford - WHALLEY, Rebecca; TAYLOR, Ashley(3).
Win-WHALLEY, Rebecca(5-2) Loss-Hannah Angel(3-6) T-1:54 A-60
TAYLOR, A. faced 1 batter in the 6th.
- UNCG -
