RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State took advantage of seven UNCG errors Wednesday to sweep a nonconference doubleheader at Dail Stadium by scores of 8-5 and 9-0.
The Spartans (11-14) took a 5-3 lead into the sixth inning of game one, but saw the Wolfpack (15-12) strike for a run in the fifth and four in the sixth to rally for the win.
Sophomore Heather Robb's two-run home run in the fifth inning snapped a 3-all tie, putting UNCG on top for the second time on the day. NC State's Bridget Desbois scored on a passed ball in the bottom half to draw the Wolfpack within a run, and NCSU pounded out four hits to reclaim the lead for good in the next frame.
NC State turned two UNCG errors into unearned runs in the third inning to jump out to a 2-0 lead, getting RBI from Alyssa Allbritten and Bethaney Wells.
The Spartans returned the favor in the top of the fourth, using three NC State errors to grab the lead with three runs. Kristen Gabel's infield single scored Robb, and an error allowed Aisha Figueroa to score. One out later, another error allowed Gabel to come around.
NCSU tied the contest in the bottom of the frame as Allbritten scored on UNCG's third error of the game. The Spartans finished the contest with four miscues.
Cory Mattson (5-9) took the loss, allowing six runs on eight hits and five walks in 5 innings of work. Raeanne Hanks worked the final 2 innings, allowing two runs.
Jade Hennig (2-0) picked up the win with an inning of scoreless relief, while Kayla Cox struck out the side in the seventh for her first save of the season. Starter Morgan Peeler took a no-decision after allowing five runs on eight hits in 5 innings.
UNCG out-hit the Wolfpack in the contest, 11-10. Gabel, Kaitlin Merkt, Katelyn Bedwell and Eileen Horsmon had two hits each for the Spartans. Allbritten and Caitlin Dent had two hits each for NCSU.
Game two was all Wolfpack from the get-go. A Desbois RBI double put NC State up 1-0 in the first, and Alyssa Ishibashi, Toni Ann Williford and Landon Warren had RBI singles in a three-run second to make it 4-0.
The Wolfpack blew the game open in the third, plating five unearned runs thanks to another UNCG error. Allbritten had the big blast in the inning, a three-run home run down the left field line to put the game into mercy-rule territory.
The Spartans could never get their offense in gear against game-two starter Cox, as Alex Emeterio's fourth-inning single was UNCG's only hit in the contest.
UNCG starter Josie Felix (4-4) was tagged with the loss after allowing nine runs on 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings of work. Emeterio worked the final inning and a third, allowing just one hit.
Cox (7-6) allowed a hit and three walks in 4 innings. Hennig worked the final inning for NC State.
Williford, Warren and Allbritten – NCSU's top three in the batting order – had two hits each.
The Spartans return to action this weekend when they host Furman for a doubleheader Saturday and a single game Sunday. The action starts at 1 p.m. each day at the UNCG Softball Stadium.
AGATE
NC State 8, UNCG 5 (Mar 23, 2011 at Raleigh, N.C.) (Game 1)
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UNCG................ 000 320 0 - 5 11 4 (11-13)
NC State............ 002 114 X - 8 10 3 (14-12)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Cory Mattson; Raeanne Hanks(6). NC State - Peeler; Hennig(6); Cox(7).
Win-Hennig(2-0) Save-Cox(1) Loss-Cory Mattson(5-9) T-2.5 hrs A-217
HR UNCG - Heather Robb.
Weather: Cloudy, 78 degrees
NC State 9, UNCG 0 (Mar 23, 2011 at Raleigh, N.C.) (Game 2)
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UNCG................ 000 00 - 0 1 3 (11-14)
NC State............ 135 0X - 9 11 0 (15-12)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Josie Felix; Alex Emeterio(3) and . NC State - Cox; Hennig(5) and .
Win-Cox(7-6) Loss-Josie Felix(4-4) T-1:45 A-152
HR ST - Allbritten.
Weather: Sunny, 83 degrees
- UNCG -
