GREENSBORO, NC – Two runs in the bottom of the first inning was all the UNC Greensboro softball team need to earn a sweep of Furman in the final day of regular season action on Sunday.
The Spartans lock up the No. 5 spot for next week's Southern Conference Tournament and will likely face Elon in opening day action. This marks the first time since the 2005 season that the Spartans have entered the tournament higher the No. 8 seed.
UNCG (21-31, 7-11 SoCon) was led by Mary Greenway and Whitney Miller who were both 1-for-3 from the plate with one run scored. Greenway also tallied one stolen base brining her season total to 47. Kaitlin Merkt also tallied one RBI on the afternoon.
Hannah Angel earned her fourth consecutive win after scattering three hits in 7.0 innings of work. She earned her third shutout of the season while striking out nine batters.
In a game that was a pitchers duel from the outset it was UNCG that made the most of early opportunities and got on the board first. Mary Greenway hit a leadoff single to right field and then stole second to put a runner in scoring position. The Roanoke, VA native was moved to third base with a single up the middle from Whitney Miller and scored on an error from Furman's catcher.
Miller moved to third base on a passed ball and after a ground out and a foul out, shortstop Kaitlin Merkt hit a RBI double which plated Miller and gave UNCG the 2-0 lead.
Pitcher Hannah Angel made it tough for the Paladins to get anything going by pitching a no hitter through the fourth inning. Katie Michaels broke up the no-hitter with a single to left center and Stephanie Cushing followed with a single to left field to give Furman two base runners but that was as close as they would get as foul out and a strikeout ended the threat.
Furman pitcher Lana Mackey was equally impressive and held UNCG hitless for the rest of the game but her teammates couldn't get any offense going as Furman dropped its fourth consecutive game.
Furman's Mackey (16-24) recorded the loss for the Paladins after allowing two runs on three hits in 6.0 innings of work. She allowed one earned run and struck out seven.
The Spartans head to the Southern Conference Tournament next week in Charleston, SC. The tournament opens on Wednesday and UNCG will likely take on Elon in the first game of the day. For more information on the tournament log on to www.uncgspartans.com.
AGATE
Furman.............. 000 000 0 - 0 3 2 (21-31, 8-13 SoCon)
UNC Greensboro...... 200 000 X - 2 3 0 (21-31, 7-11 SoCon)
Pitchers: Furman - Lana Mackey. UNC Greensboro - Hannah Angel.
Win-Hannah Angel(11-13) Loss-Lana Mackey(16-23) T-1:17 A-139
- UNCG -
