GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNC Greensboro had four players hit home runs and Alex Emeterio was 4-for-4 in game one as the Spartans swept a doubleheader from Marshall on Wednesday, 13-5 in 6 innings and 3-1.
After UNCG (12-14) exploded for 14 hits and 13 runs in game one, Emily Akiyama hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning of game two to rally the Spartans past Marshall (15-14).
Emeterio, Kaitlin Merkt and Katie Stripling went deep for the Spartans in game one. For Merkt, it marked the second straight year she had homered on her birthday.
UNCG rocked Marshall starter Katie Murphree from the get-go in game one, pouncing on her for three runs in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Brittany Ausley lined the first pitch she saw from Murphree back up the middle to get things going, and one out later, Emeterio launched her fourth home run of the season.
After a Merkt single, freshman Eileen Horsmon tripled to right field to put UNCG on top 3-0.
The Spartans added another run in the second on Jordan Jewett's RBI double, but Marshall got a pair of runs back in the top of the third on Alianna Telles' two-run home run.
UNCG blew the game open in the third, plating four runs on a two-run double from Horsmon and a two-run homer for Stripling, who kept pace with Emeterio for the team lead.
Marshall would get a run back in the fourth when Jazmine Valle scored on a wild pitch, but the Spartans put two more runs on the board in the bottom of the frame on RBI singles from Emeterio and Akiyama.
The Thundering Herd added two runs of their own in the top of the fifth on Valle's RBI single and a sacrifice fly from Melanie Stoehr.
UNCG put the game in mercy-rule territory in the sixth inning, getting an RBI single from Emeterio and a walk-off, two-run homer from Merkt, who turned 22 Wednesday.
Cory Mattson picked up the win for UNCG, improving to 7-6 on the season despite giving up five runs on four walks and seven hits in 7 innings. Freshman Raeanne Hanks worked a scoreless sixth.
Murphree (9-8) took the loss for Marshall, as she allowed five runs on six hits and a walk in 2 innings of work.
Emeterio was 4-for-4 with a homer and four RBI in game one, scoring three times. Ausley, Jewett, Merkt and Horsmon had two hits each.
Valle was 2-for-2 with a walk to pace Marshall.
Game two was a dramatic departure from game one, as neither side could must much offense. The Herd plated a run in the third inning on Bri Anne Hope's RBI single, and it appeared Marshall starter Caitlyn Jackson might make the lead stand.
Jackson was nearly untouchable for much of the game, retiring the first seven batters in order and striking out the side in order in the second and fifth innings.
But Akiyama bailed out the Spartans in the sixth, crushing a three-run homer for just UNCG's third hit of the game.
UNCG starter Amber Harrell (3-7) worked around some early trouble in the seventh to nail down her third win of the season, getting three straight outs after allowing the first two runners to reach.
Emeterio, Akiyama and Merkt – UNCG's 3, 4 and 5 hitters – had one hit each, while Heather Robb had a single up the middle in the third inning to break up Jackson's perfect game.
Valle was again the only Marshall player with a multi-hit game, as she was 2-for-3.
Harrell allowed one run on six hits and two walks in 7 innings of work. Jackson (3-6) allowed three runs on four hits and a walk in 6 innings. She struck out seven.
UNCG won't have long to savor the sweep, as the Spartans are back in action Thursday when they host NC State for a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro 13, Marshall 5 (Mar 24, 2010 at Greensboro, N.C.) (Game 1)
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Marshall............ 002 120 - 5 7 2 (15-13)
UNC Greensboro...... 314 203 - 13 14 0 (11-14)
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Pitchers: Marshall - Katie Murphree; Rachel Rillo(3); Jessica Ferrick(4) and Rebecca Gamby. UNC Greensboro - Cory Mattson; Raeanne Hanks(6) and Eileen Horsmon; Chelsea D'Ambrosio; Katie Stripling.
Win-Cory Mattson(7-6) Loss-Katie Murphree(6-7) T-1:49 A-0
HR MAR - Alianna Telles.
HR UNCG - Alex Emeterio (4); Kaitlin Merkt (2); Katie Stripling (4).
Weather: 69 degrees, sunny
K. Murphree faced 1 batter in the 3rd.
R. Rillo faced 3 batters in the 4th.
UNC Greensboro 3, Marshall 1 (Mar 24, 2010 at Greensboro, N.C.) (Game 2)
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Marshall............ 001 000 0 - 1 6 0 (15-14)
UNC Greensboro...... 000 003 X - 3 4 0 (12-14)
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Pitchers: Marshall - Caitlyn Jackson and Melanie Stoehr. UNC Greensboro - Amber Harrell and Katie Stripling.
Win-Amber Harrell(3-7) Loss-Caitlyn Jackson(3-6) T-1:38 A-183
HR UNCG - Emily Akiyama (1).
Weather: 72 degrees, sunny
- UNCG -
