GREENSBORO, NC Alex Emeterio and Brittany Ausley had two hits each in game one and Kaitlin Merkt hit a two-run home run in game two as UNC Greensboro twice rallied from deficits to split a doubleheader with Campbell on Tuesday, falling 8-3 in game one before rebounding for the 5-3 victory in game two.
The Spartans (13-18) twice trailed in game two, but immediately answered both times the Camels (22-10) took the lead.
Robin Leathers hit a leadoff home run in game two her second of the day, both of which hit the scoreboard in right center to put Campbell on top early. But UNCG found the answer in the bottom half of the first, manufacturing a run with some small ball. Ausley led off with an infield single, and after Lyndsay Mouse moved her to second on a sacrifice bunt, Merkt singled up the middle to drive her in.
Campbell went ahead again in the top of the fourth, with Leathers scoring from third on a double steal. The Spartans again rallied in the bottom half of the frame, this time going ahead for the first time on the day.
Emeterio drew a leadoff walk to get things going, and Whitney Sirois followed with a single to right. Freshman Jordan Jewett sacrificed both runners over, and after an out, Emeterio came in on a wild pitch from Lauren Stephan. Laura Olenderski drew a full-count walk, with ball four heading to the backstop, allowing Sirois to come in on another wild pitch.
Merkt hit her fifth home run of the season the following inning, sending a drive out to left field to bring in Mouse and match her career high. The home run was also the 11th of Merkt's career, moving her into a tie for ninth place in UNCG history.
With UNCG now holding a 5-2 lead, the Camels got a run back in the sixth and threatened for more. Keeli Michael led off with an infield single, then went to second on an Amber Harrell wild pitch. A groundout moved her to third, but another wild pitch brought her in to score.
Consecutive hit batters loaded the bases, but Harrell recovered to strike out Taylor McGee swinging to end the threat.
Harrell (4-9) picked up her fourth win of the season, allowing three runs two earned on four hits and six walks.
Stephan (6-3) took the loss, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks in four innings. Christina Melton finished the game for the Camels, allowing a pair of runs on two hits and walk in two innings.
Merkt finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBI, while Leathers paced the Campbell attack with her own 2-for-3 effort.
Game one saw Campbell jump out to an 8-0 lead before the Spartans pushed three runs across late.
The Camels plated a pair in the third inning on Leather's home run and Amanda Miller's RBI single. Campbell blew the game open with a four-run fourth, with McGee's two-run home run the big blow.
Campbell threatened to put the mercy rule into effect in the sixth, pushing the score to 8-0 on McGee's two-run single. UNCG finally got on the board in the bottom half of the frame to keep the game going, as Emeterio laced a 2-2 pitch into left to score Ausley and Mouse with two outs.
The Spartans added another run in the bottom of the seventh, as Ausley's double off the glove of a diving Miller brought in pinch-runner Kayla Hensley.
McGee was 3-for-3 in the game with four RBI, while Leathers was 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Ausley and Emeterio were both 2-for-3 for the Spartans.
Brittany Stanley improved to 7-3 on the year, getting the win by allowing just two runs on four hits and two walks. Katie Woodcock worked the final inning, allowing an unearned run on a walk and a hit.
Hannah Angel (8-7) took the loss for UNCG after surrendering six runs five earned on three walks and six hits in four innings. Cory Mattson finished the game in the circle, allowing two runs on a pair of walks and six hits in three innings.
The Spartans return to action April 7 with a home doubleheader against North Carolina Central. First pitch for game one is set for 4 p.m.
AGATE
Campbell 8, UNC Greensboro 3 (Mar 31, 2009 at Greensboro, NC) (Game 1)
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Campbell............ 002 402 0 - 8 12 1 (22-9)
UNC Greensboro...... 000 002 1 - 3 5 2 (12-18)
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Pitchers: Campbell - Christina Melton; Brittany Stanley(1); Katie Woodcock(7) and Taylor McGee.
UNC Greensboro - Hannah Angel; Cory Mattson(5) and Leslie Furness.
Win-Brittany Stanley(7-3) Loss-Hannah Angel(8-7) T-1:58 A-0
HR CAM - Robin Leathers (9); Taylor McGee (6).
Weather: 68 degrees and cloudy
Game: UNCG3311
UNC Greensboro 5, Campbell 3 (Mar 31, 2009 at Greensboro, NC) (Game 2)
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Campbell............ 100 101 0 - 3 4 0 (22-10)
UNC Greensboro...... 100 220 X - 5 6 1 (13-18)
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Pitchers: Campbell - Lauren Stephan; Christina Melton(5) and Taylor McGee. UNC Greensboro -
Amber Harrell and Whitney Sirois.
Win-Amber Harrell(4-9) Loss-Lauren Stephan(6-3) T-2:03 A-67
HR CAM - Robin Leathers (10).
HR UNCG - Kaitlin Merkt (5).
Weather: 63 and cloudy
Game: UNCG3312
