ATHENS, GA – No. 16 Georgia took advantage of three UNC Greensboro errors and 10 walks to grab a 12-2 win over the Spartans in five innings to wrap up play at the Sixth Annual Georgia Softball Classic on Sunday.
The Bulldogs (12-1) jumped out to a 10-0 lead, scoring three runs in the first inning, six in the second and one in the third.
UNCG (6-9) put runners on first and second to lead off the game, but was unable to push a run across. Brittany Ausley led off the game with a walk, and went to second on a Georgia error on Jordan Jewett's fielder's choice. UGA starter Taylor Schlopy recovered to retire the next three batters to get out of trouble early.
In the bottom half of the frame, Georgia's Megan Wiggins hit a three-run home run after a pair of one-out walks to get the scoring started. The Bulldogs batted around in the second, scoring six runs – five unearned – on three hits, three walks and a UNCG dropped fly ball that allowed three runs to score.
Georgia added another unearned run in the third on Wiggins' sacrifice fly, which plated Brittany Hubbard, who reached on another Spartan error.
The Spartans got on the board in the top of fourth, with Mary Catherine Vercoe drawing a leadoff walk and Kaitlin Merkt's double putting runners at second and third for Emily Akiyama. Akiyama, who had been hitless in the tournament, came through with a single to right to plate pinch-runner Katie Stripling with the Spartans' first run of the day.
UNCG added another run when Merkt scored on a Georgia passed ball.
The Bulldogs added two more runs in the fourth on Kristin Schnake's two-out, bases-loaded single to center.
Facing the prospect of having the game end early because of the mercy rule in the top of the fifth, UNCG tried to get the margin back down under eight runs. Ausley singled to lead off, and Jewett moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Schlopy got a line-drive double play off the bat of Alex Emeterio to end the game.
Akiyama, Ausley and Merkt accounted for UNCG's three hits on the day, while six different players accounted for Georgia's six hits.
Hannah Angel saw her record drop to 4-4 with her fourth straight loss. She allowed nine runs (four earned) on four hits and six walks in two innings. Freshman Cory Mattson pitched two innings of relief, allowing three runs – two earned – on two hits and four walks. Both pitchers struck out three.
Schlopy improved to 2-0 on the season after allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks in five innings. She struck out five.
The Spartans return to action on Wednesday for their first midweek doubleheader of the season, at No. 21 North Carolina. First pitch for game one is set for 3 p.m.
AGATE
Georgia 12, UNC Greensboro 2 (Feb 22, 2009 at Athens, Ga.)
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UNC Greensboro...... 000 20 - 2 3 3 (6-9)
Georgia............. 361 2X - 12 6 1 (12-1)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Hannah Angel; Cory Mattson(3). Georgia - Taylor Schlopy.
Win-Taylor Schlopy(2-0) Loss-Hannah Angel(4-4) T-1:38 A-156
HR UG - Megan Wiggins (5).
- UNCG -
