TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – UNCG dropped a 13-7 decision to St. John's in the consolation game of the Seminole Kick Off Classic on Sunday.
The Spartans (2-3) found themselves down 9-0 in the third inning before finally getting their offense into gear. UNCG answered the Red Storm's four-run third with a four-spot of its own in the bottom half of the frame.
Freshmen Ashley Reetz and Aisha Figueroa led off the inning with consecutive infield singles, and after a Kristen Gabel sacrifice, Alex Emeterio walked to load the bases. Kaitlin Merkt hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Reetz with UNCG's first run of the game, and Eileen Horsmon and Katelyn Bedwell drew consecutive walks to force in another run.
Pinch-hitter Jordan Jewett hit a two-run single to bring in Emeterio and Horsmon before relief pitcher Ashley Beza came on to get the final out of the inning.
UNCG starter Cory Mattson settled in after the rocky start, working a pair of scoreless innings before the Red Storm (2-3) struck for two more in the sixth on a bases-loaded walk by Julia Sanchez and an RBI groundout by Amber Curry.
The Spartans once again had the answer, matching St. John's with two in the bottom half. Reetz and Figueroa again played prominent roles in the scoring, as Reetz led off with a single and stole second and Figueroa brought her in with a single to right center. Gabel would score later in the inning on a Red Storm error.
St. John's tacked on a pair of unearned runs in the top of the seventh, and UNCG scored on a Figueroa fielder's choice in the bottom half for the final run of the afternoon.
The Red Storm jumped out to its early lead thanks to two runs in the first, three in the second and four in the third. Shortstop Chrissy Montez seemed to be in the middle of anything, as she had an RBI single in the first, a two-run single in the second and another RBI hit in the third.
Mattson (1-2) took the loss, allowing 10 earned runs on 12 hits and 11 walks in the complete-game effort.
Figueroa, Merkt, Jewett and Reetz had two hits each for the Spartans. Horsmon drew three walks.
Montez was 3-for-5 with four RBI for the Red Storm, while Fachon Jones was 3-for-4 with two runs.
UNCG returns to action next weekend at Charlotte's First Pitch Classic in Charlotte, N.C. The Spartans will face Charlotte, Eastern Kentucky and St. Francis at the three-day tournament.
AGATE
St. John's 13, UNCG 7 (Feb 13, 2011 at Tallahassee, Fla.)
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St. John's.......... 234 002 2 - 13 12 1 (2-3)
UNCG................ 004 002 1 - 7 9 3 (2-3)
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Pitchers: St. John's - Kat Lawrence; Ashley Beza(3); Aleshia Link(7). UNCG - Cory Mattson.
Win-Ashley Beza(1-2) Loss-Cory Mattson(1-2) T-2:49 A-0
Weather: Chilly
- UNCG -
