GREENSBORO, N.C. - Brittany Ausley was a combined 4-for-8 with three RBI and Amber Harrell struck out 14 batters over two games as UNC Greensboro split a Southern Conference doubleheader against Elon on Saturday, winning 6-0 in game one before falling 6-1 in game two.
Ausley did most of her damage in game one, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a two-run single.
Her leadoff home run in the bottom of the first set the tone early for UNCG (14-19, 4-4 SoCon), but it was her two-run single with the bases loaded in the fourth that gave the Spartans a comfortable 4-0 lead.
With UNCG nursing a 2-0 lead thanks to Kaitlin Merkt's third-inning sacrifice fly, Emily Akiyama singled up the middle to lead off the fourth. A walk and a fielder's choice loaded the bases for Ausley, who worked the count full before stroking her second hit of the day to give the Spartans some breathing room.
UNCG would add two more in the fifth inning, scoring a pair of unearned runs without the benefit of a hit. Elon (24-8, 9-3 SoCon) committed two errors in the inning, with Merkt and Eileen Horsmon scoring on the second one to make it a 6-0 game.
The Phoenix never really threatened in the contest, as Harrell (5-9) turned in a brilliant outing. The senior from McDonough, Ga., allowed just four hits and a walk, striking out nine in picking up the win. She allowed just one runner past second base and retired the side in order in fourth and fifth innings.
UNCG then turned a wild double play to escape trouble in the sixth. After a fielding error allowed the leadoff runner to reach, Harrell coaxed a foul pop for out No. 1. Erin O'Shea then lifted a popup into shallow center that Merkt got a glove on, but could not corral. Ausley made a barehanded grab on the ball before it hit the ground, then fired back to first to double off Tomeka Watson to end the inning.
Emerald Graham had two of Elon's hits in the contest, as she was 2-for-3.
O'Shea (11-3) took the loss for Elon, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings. Pam DelPizzo worked the final 3 2/3, allowing four runs (two earned) on two walks and two hits.
Game two was an Elon slugfest, as the Phoenix crushed three home runs to salvage the split. But it was a spectacular defensive play by Graham in the bottom of the sixth that preserved the Elon win.
With UNCG trailing 4-1, the Spartans loaded the bases on singles from Alex Emeterio and Horsmon and a fielder's choice from Akiyama. With two out, freshman Heather Robb - who had already hit her second homer of the season in the fifth inning - crushed a ball to the gap in right center that would have easily cleared the bases and tied the score.
Graham made a phenomenal running grab on the ball, however, reaching up and making the snowcone catch near the wall to snuff out the UNCG rally.
Caitlin McGowan's solo shot in the fourth was the first run of the game, and pinch-runner Carly McDougall scored from third on a UNCG throwing error.
Elon added two more in the top of the fifth, with Ashlee Crewe hitting a homer to right center to plate Graham.
UNCG got a run back in the bottom half of the frame on Robb's homer, making it 4-1 and setting the stage for the sixth-inning drama.
After dodging trouble in the sixth, Elon added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh, getting a Watson solo homer and an RBI single from McGowan.
Watson, Graham and McGowan all finished with two hits each for Elon in game two, while Ausley and Emeterio had two each for UNCG.
Lauren Taylor (11-3) picked up the win for the Phoenix, allowing just one run on eight hits.
Harrell took the loss, allowing two runs - one earned - on four hits and two walks in 4 innings. She struck out five.
The Spartans' Strike Out Cancer campaign raised $156 in donations for UNCG's Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society on the day.
UNCG returns to action Wednesday for a doubleheader at Liberty in Lynchburg, Va. First pitch for game one is slated for 2 p.m.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro 6, Elon 0 (Apr 03, 2010 at Greensboro, N.C.) (Game 1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Elon................ 000 000 0 - 0 4 2 (23-8, 8-3 SoCon)
UNC Greensboro...... 101 220 X - 6 5 2 (14-18, 4-3 SoCon)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Elon - Erin O'Shea; Pam DelPizzo(3) and Kaitlyn Piazzolla. UNC Greensboro - Amber Harrell and Whitney Sirois.
Win-Amber Harrell(5-8) Loss-Erin O'Shea(11-3) T-1:48 A-0
HR UNCG - Brittany Ausley (1).
Weather: 72 degrees, sunny
Elon 6, UNC Greensboro 1 (Apr 03, 2010 at Greensboro, N.C.) (Game 2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Elon................ 000 220 2 - 6 8 1 (24-8, 9-3 SoCon)
UNC Greensboro...... 000 010 0 - 1 8 2 (14-19, 4-4 SoCon)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Elon - Lauren Taylor and Kaitlyn Piazzolla. UNC Greensboro - Amber Harrell; Cory Mattson(5); Raeanne Hanks(7) and Whitney Sirois.
Win-Lauren Taylor(11-3) Loss-Amber Harrell(5-9) T-2:06 A-126
HR ELON - Tomeka Watson (3); Ashlee Crewe (6); Caitlin McGowan (1).
HR UNCG - Heather Robb (2).
Weather: 80 degrees, sunny
Mattson faced 1 batter in the 7th.
- UNCG -
