GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNC Greensboro got solo home runs from Kaitlin Merkt in both ends of a doubleheader Tuesday but East Carolina pulled off the sweep, winning game one 4-1 and game two 6-3.
Merkt's fifth-inning homer in game one cut ECU's lead in half to make it a 2-1 game before the Pirates (17-12) plated two more runs in the top of the sixth inning for some insurance.
ECU went ahead 2-0 in the third on Charina Sumner's two-run homer to left center. After Merkt's blast to left made it a one-run game, Kaui Tom hit a towering drive out to left center in the sixth to restore the Pirates' two-run lead.
ECU added another run on Marina Gusman-Brown's double and a UNCG error later in the inning.
UNCG (13-17) get never get its offense in gear against East Carolina starter Toni Paisley, who picked up the win in both games.
Jordan Jewett's double to the gap in left center with one out in the fourth marked UNCG's first hit of the day. Merkt's home run was the only other safety for the Spartans, who had just two base-runners in the contest.
Paisley was sharp throughout, striking out 12 and allowing just the two hits and no walks in 7 innings of work in game one.
Despite tossing a three-hitter, Cory Mattson (7-8) took the loss for the Spartans, allowing four runs (three earned). She walked four and struck out five.
Game two saw UNCG draw first blood on Eileen Horsmon's solo home run to right with one out in the second inning.
The Pirates had an answer in the top half of the third, however, getting an RBI single from Christina Merrida to tie the game.
ECU took a lead it would not relinquish in the fourth, batting around and plating three runs. Tom and Sissy Jimenez sandwiched RBI doubles around an RBI fielder's choice from Christen Aona to make it a 4-1 game.
UNCG would get a run back in the bottom of the inning, getting back-to-back singles from Alex Emeterio and Merkt and a walk from Horsmon to load the bases with no one out and knock ECU starter Faith Sutton from the game.
Paisley came in and struck out the first two batters she faced before Whitney Sirois singled through the left side to plate Emeterio. Paisley would strike out the next batter to limit the damage and close the book on Sutton.
The Pirates got a couple of insurance runs in the top of the sixth, with Vanessa Moreno and Gusman-Brown hitting back-to-back home runs to make it 6-2.
Merkt led off the bottom half of the frame with her second homer of the day – and fourth in the last seven games – to draw the Spartans within three runs. UNCG would get no closer, however, as ECU completed the sweep.
Brittany Ausley finished the game 2-for-4, with a third-inning double and a seventh-inning single. Merkt was 2-for-3 with a single and a home run.
For Merkt, it was the second time in her career she had hit two homers on the same day. She also did so against Mount St. Mary's and Delaware State on Feb. 23, 2008.
Gusman-Brown and Sumner finished with two hits each for ECU in game two.
Paisley worked 4 innings of relief to pick up the win, allowing one run on three hits, striking out seven. Sutton allowed two runs on four hits and a walk in 3 innings of work.
All three UNCG pitchers saw action in game two, with Amber Harrell (4-8) taking the loss after allowing four runs on four hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings.
Freshman Raeanne Hanks worked 1 2/3 innings, surrendering two runs in five hits and a walk, while Mattson allowed just two hits in 1 2/3 innings.
The Spartans return to action and Southern Conference play Friday when they host Elon for a single game at 5 p.m.
AGATE
East Carolina 4, UNC Greensboro 1 (Mar 30, 2010 at Greensboro, N.C.) (Game 1)
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East Carolina....... 002 002 0 - 4 3 0 (16-12)
UNC Greensboro...... 000 010 0 - 1 2 5 (13-16)
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Pitchers: East Carolina - Toni Paisley and Kai Clark. UNC Greensboro - Cory Mattson and Eileen Horsmon; Whitney Sirois; Katie Stripling.
Win-Toni Paisley(11-7) Loss-Cory Mattson(7-8) T-1:47 A-0
HR ECU - Charina Sumner (1); Kaui Tom (2).
HR UNCG - Kaitlin Merkt (3).
Weather: 64 degrees, sunny
East Carolina 6, UNC Greensboro 3 (Mar 30, 2010 at Greensboro, N.C.) (Game 2)
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East Carolina....... 001 302 0 - 6 11 0 (17-12)
UNC Greensboro...... 010 101 0 - 3 7 1 (13-17)
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Pitchers: East Carolina - Faith Sutton; Toni Paisley(4) and Kai Clark. UNC Greensboro -
Amber Harrell; Raeanne Hanks(4); Cory Mattson(6) and Whitney Sirois.
Win-Toni Paisley(12-7) Loss-Amber Harrell(4-8) T-2:02 A-88
HR ECU - Marina Gusman-Brown (7); Vanessa Moreno (1).
HR UNCG - Kaitlin Merkt (4); Eileen Horsmon (3).
Weather: 66 degrees, sunny
Sutton faced 3 batters in the 4th.
- UNCG -
