GREENSBORO, N.C. - Alex Emeterio and Eileen Horsmon clubbed back-to-back home runs in a four-run first inning and UNC Greensboro rapped out eight hits to top Niagara in the consolation game of the Spartan Classic on Sunday, 7-4.
Cleveland State topped Sacred Heart in the title game, 4-2.
UNCG coach Jennifer Herzig rolled out a new-look batting order and it immediately paid dividends, as Kristen Gabel doubled to center to lead off the game. Jordan Jewett followed with an infield single to put runners on the corners, and one out later, Emeterio blasted a ball off the scoreboard in right center for a quick 3-0 lead. It was her second home run in as many days.
Horsmon, a freshman, followed with her first career home run, a deep bomb to center to give UNCG (4-9) a 4-0 cushion.
Niagara (1-4) got a run back in the top of the second on Jennifer Hare's RBI double, and the score remained 4-1 until the fourth.
The Purple Eagles drew within two on Hare's solo home run in the top of the frame, but the Spartans restored their three-run lead in the bottom half when Jewett scored on Brittany Ausley's RBI groundout.
UNCG padded its lead in the fifth, getting a two-run shot from Katie Stripling to make it 7-2. Stripling's homer was her third of the season. The junior catcher is hitting an even .400 and slugging 1.300 on the young season.
Niagara capped the scoring with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the seventh on Jenna Baker's two-run home run with two outs. Cory Mattson, UNCG's third pitcher of the game, got a groundout to shut down any thoughts of a Niagara rally.
Cassie Stone (1-1) took the loss for Niagara, as she allowed seven runs - six earned - on eight hits and five walks in 6 innings.
Amber Harrell (2-4) picked up the win with 3 innings of effective relief. She allowed one run on a hit and a walk, striking out six. Raeanne Hanks started for UNCG, allowing a run on a hit and a walk in 2 innings.
UNCG returns to action next weekend at the Buzz Classic in Woodstock, Ga. The Spartans will face Akron and Howard on Friday, Bowling Green on Saturday and Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech on Sunday.
Cleveland State 4, Sacred Heart 2 - Cleveland State (7-3) completed its undefeated run at the Spartan Classic with a 4-2 win over Sacred Heart (2-3) in the tournament's title game on Sunday. Dara Toman went 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI for the Vikings, who were 5-0 at the tournament. Pitcher Amanda Mecenko, who picked up all five wins on the weekend, struck out 11.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro 7, Niagara 4 (Feb 28, 2010 at Greensboro, N.C.)
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Niagara............. 010 100 2 - 4 3 3 (1-4)
UNC Greensboro...... 400 120 X - 7 8 1 (4-9)
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Pitchers: Niagara - Cassie Stone and Jennifer Hare. UNC Greensboro - Raeanne Hanks; Amber Harrell(3); Cory Mattson(6) and Katie Stripling.
Win-Amber Harrell(2-4) Loss-Cassie Stone(1-1) T-1:55 A-102
HR NIA - Jenna Baker (1); Jennifer Hare (2).
HR UNCG - Alex Emeterio (2); Eileen Horsmon (1); Katie Stripling (3).
Cleveland State 4, Sacred Heart 2 (Feb 28, 2010 at Greensboro, N.C.)
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Sacred Heart........ 010 100 0 - 2 5 0 (2-3)
Cleveland State..... 102 001 X - 4 7 1 (7-3)
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Pitchers: Sacred Heart - Jen Russell and Shannon McCoy. Cleveland State - Amanda Macenko and Amy Powell.
Win-Amanda Macenko(6-3) Loss-Jen Russell(1-2) T-1:40 A-46
HR SHU - Liz Tsipouras (2).
HR CSU - Dara Toman.
Weather: 46 degrees, partly cloudy
- UNCG -
