GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNC Greensboro got strong performances from all five seniors on Senior Day, highlighted by Whitney Sirois' three-run double and Amber Harrell's four-hit shutout, as the Spartans downed Chattanooga, 3-0 on Sunday.
UNCG (24-26, 11-9 Southern Conference) honored seniors Harrell, Sirois, Brittany Ausley, Emily Akiyama and Laura Olenderski prior to the game. Akiyama, Olenderski and Sirois all had hits in the game, while Ausley chased down the final out of the game in foul ground and made a couple of strong throws from left field that kept Chattanooga (37-14, 17-4 SoCon) from scoring from third. Harrell turned in her third shutout of the season.
The Spartans got all the runs Harrell would need in the bottom of the fourth. Alex Emeterio and Eileen Horsmon drew consecutive walks to lead off the inning, knocking starter Brooke Loudermilk from the game.
A fielder's choice erased Emeterio at third, but Akiyama singled up the middle to load the bases. Another fielder's choice allowed the Lady Mocs to get Horsmon at the plate, but Sirois dropped a bloop double down the right field line, just out of the reach of a diving Kaiti Kelley, to clear the bases.
Harrell did the rest, allowing just four hits and two walks on the day.
Chattanooga loaded the bases in the seventh to make it interesting, taking advantage of a walk and an error to put runners on first and second with no one out. Harrell got a pair of popups from the next two batters before Jessica Traxler singled to load the bases, but Ausley charged in to grab Lyndsey Stiles' foul ball to end the contest.
Harrell grabbed her career-high 12th win of the season, pushing her record to 12-13. She retired the first seven batters of the game, and faced the minimum through 4 1/3. She struck out seven.
Loudermilk (16-11) took the loss, as she was charged with two runs on two hits and two walks in three innings. Kandice Irwin worked three innings, allowing a run on five hits.
Traxler finished 2-for-3 to lead the Lady Mocs at the plate.
With the win, UNCG remains in fourth place in the SoCon standings. The top four teams advance to the league tournament, which will be in Chattanooga, Tenn., May 13-14.
The Spartans return to action next weekend at Samford for a three-game set to wrap up the regular season.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro 3, Chattanooga 0 (May 02, 2010 at Greensboro, N.C.)
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Chattanooga......... 000 000 0 - 0 4 0 (37-14, 17-4 SoCon)
UNC Greensboro...... 000 300 X - 3 7 1 (24-26, 11-9 SoCon)
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Pitchers: Chattanooga - Brooke Loudermilk; Kandice Irwin(4) and Brittany Eason. UNC Greensboro - Amber Harrell and Whitney Sirois.
Win-Amber Harrell(12-13) Loss-Brooke Loudermilk(16-11) T-1:42 A-89
Weather: 84 degrees, mostly cloudy
Loudermilk faced 2 batters in the 4th.
- UNCG -
