For coach Jennifer Herzig's postgame comments, click here.
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Kaitlin Merkt hit her second two-run home run in as many days and Katelyn Bedwell added a two-run single as UNCG dropped College of Charleston 4-0 on Sunday to claim the series.
With Jordan Jewett on base and two out, Merkt put the Spartans (11-12, 2-1 Southern Conference) on the board in the bottom of the first inning, sending Jen Rosene's 2-2 pitch high out to right center for her fifth homer of the season.
The score would remain 2-0 until the bottom the fifth, when Alex Emeterio, Merkt and Bedwell strung together consecutive two-out hits. Emeterio got things started with a single to left and Merkt moved her to third with a double to the wall in right. Bedwell then dropped a bloop single into shallow left center to knock in Emeterio and Merkt with some insurance runs.
The Cougars (18-10, 2-4 SoCon) stranded 10 runners on the day, leaving two on in the second and seventh innings and leaving the bases loaded in the third and sixth.
A two-out walk by Kristi Woodall and a single by Kelsey Hodgson put runners on first and second in the second inning, but starter Josie Felix got a groundout to escape the jam.
Felix found herself in trouble again in the third, with CofC putting together a pair of infield singles and a walk with two outs to load the bases. Cory Mattson then came on in relief of Felix and struck out Katie Nutaitis to end the threat.
The Cougars left the bases loaded again in the sixth, taking advantage of Katie Forbes' leadoff single, a UNCG error and a walk. Mattson was again up to the task, however, getting a grounder to second to keep the Cougars scoreless.
CofC had one last attempt at a rally, as pinch-hitter Blakeney Sitton drew a walk and Lizzy Vaughn singled to left to put runners on first and second with one out in the seventh. Mattson struck out Forbes and coaxed another grounder to second to end the game.
Mattson (5-8) picked up the win with 4 1/3 innings of two-hit relief, striking out five. Felix allowed five hits in 2 2/3 innings.
The Spartans handed CofC freshman Jen Rosene (4-1) her first loss, as she allowed four runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Alexa Datko worked an inning and a third of scoreless relief.
Merkt was 2-for-2 with a walk, a double and a homer to lead UNCG at the dish. Carly Corthell and Vaughn had two hits each for the Cougars.
Coupled with Saturday's doubleheader split, UNCG won the series with CofC for the second straight season.
The Spartans return to action Wednesday for a doubleheader at NC State. First pitch for game one is set for 3 p.m.
AGATE
UNCG 4, Coll. of Charleston 0 (Mar 20, 2011 at Greensboro, N.C.)
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Coll. of Charleston. 000 000 0 - 0 7 0 (18-10, 2-4 SoCon)
UNCG................ 200 020 X - 4 8 1 (11-12, 2-1 SoCon)
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Pitchers: Coll. of Charleston - Jen Rosene; Alexa Datko(5). UNCG - Josie Felix; Cory Mattson(3).
Win-Cory Mattson(5-8) Loss-Jen Rosene(4-1) T-1:42 A-56
HR UNCG - Kaitlin Merkt (5).
Weather: 53 degrees, cloudy
- UNCG -
