CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Whitney Sirois went 2-for-3 and Eileen Horsmon extended her hitting streak to a career-best nine games, but Charlotte downed UNC Greensboro in nonconference softball action Tuesday, 9-2. Game two of the scheduled doubleheader was cancelled after the first game was pushed back an hour by rain and will not be rescheduled.
The 49ers (35-13) blew open a tight game with a five-run fifth inning. Keri Palma drew a two-out walk to load the bases, and Lorena Vela stroked a bases-clearing double to make it 5-1. Natalyn Blanton homered to left on the very next pitch, and UNCG (23-24) found itself in a 7-1 hole.
The Spartans got a run back in the sixth, when Horsmon stroked a one-out single to left and Emily Akiyama singled to knock in pinch-runner April Langley.
Charlotte pulled farther away in the bottom half of the inning, with Tenaya Tucker hitting a two-out, two-run homer to make it 9-2.
Sirois singled to lead off the seventh inning, but Charlotte starter Emily Jeffery retired the next three batters in order to end the game.
The 49ers got out to a 1-0 lead in the first, as Serena Smith's RBI single knocked in Whitney Williams. The damage could have been far worse, as Charlotte had four hits in the frame, but left fielder Brittany Ausley threw out Smith at the plate to end the inning.
UNCG picked up its first run in the third inning, when Ausley singled to drive in Sirois, who doubled to lead off the inning.
Jeffery improved to 19-8 on the season for the 49ers, as she allowed two runs – one earned – on six hits and two walks. She struck out 11.
Amber Harrell (11-12) took the loss for UNCG, her second after a string of six straight wins. Harrell surrendered seven runs on 11 hits and two walks in five innings, striking out four. Freshman Raeanne Hanks worked one inning, allowing two runs on two hits.
Tucker finished 3-for-4 with a homer, two runs and two RBI to lead Charlotte. Smith and Kendra McCall were both 2-for-3, while Vela was 1-for-3 with three RBI.
Sirois' two-hit effort paced the Spartans. Akiyama reached base three times, going 1-for-1 with a pair of walks and an RBI.
UNCG returns to action this weekend when it hosts Southern Conference leader Chattanooga for a three-game set. The third-place Spartans will take on the Lady Mocs for a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m. followed by game three Sunday at 1 p.m.
AGATE
Charlotte 9, UNC Greensboro 2 (Apr 27, 2010 at Charlotte, N.C.)
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UNC Greensboro...... 001 001 0 - 2 6 1 (23-24)
Charlotte........... 101 052 X - 9 13 1 (35-13)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Amber Harrell; Raeanne Hanks(6) and Eileen Horsmon; Whitney Sirois. Charlotte - Emily Jeffery and Tenaya Tucker.
Win-Emily Jeffery(19-8) Loss-Amber Harrell(11-12) T-1:47 A-86
HR CHA - Tenaya Tucker (5); Natalyn Blanton (5).
Weather: 66, cloudy
- UNCG -
