For video of UNCG coach Jennifer Herzig's comments, click here.
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Kristen Gabel knocked in all three runs as UNCG picked up a walk-off 3-2 win over Charlotte in game one of Wednesday's doubleheader, but the 49ers rallied past the Spartans to claim a 7-2 win in game two to salvage the split.
UNCG (9-11) took a 2-0 lead into the seventh inning in game one, but Charlotte (9-10) got a two-out, two-run home run from Briana Gwaltney to tie the game at 2.
The Spartans played some small ball to win it in the bottom half, with Jordan Jewett getting hit by a pitch to lead off the inning before Toni MacReynolds singled up the middle. An Ally Johnson sacrifice put runners on second and third with one out before the 49ers elected to intentionally walk Eileen Horsmon.
Gabel came up with the bases loaded and the game on the line and delivered, laying down a perfect squeeze bunt to score Jewett from third with the winning run.
The teams were locked in a pitchers' duel until the Spartans finally broke through in the fifth. After MacReynolds doubled off the wall in right center, Horsmon reached on a fielder's choice, while pinch-runner Cory Mattson took third on the play. Gabel followed with a double to straightaway center just out of the reach of Whitney Williams, and Mattson and Horsmon came in for the first runs of the day for either side.
Mattson (4-7), who took a one-hitter into the fifth, allowed two runs on four hits. She worked around seven walks, getting some timely defensive gems behind her. Left fielder April Langley doubled a runner off second in the fourth inning and made an outstanding running grab in foul ground in the seventh. Shortstop Kaitlin Merkt also had a nice play in the seventh, making an outstanding stop deep in the hole and firing over to first for the out.
MacReynolds turned in her third straight multi-hit game for the Spartans, going 2-for-3. Gabel was 1-for-2 with three RBI.
Charlotte starter Katy Hackett took the loss, allowing three runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings.
The Spartans took a 2-0 lead in game two, as well, but saw the 49ers rally for the win.
After leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, UNCG got on the board in the second on Heather Robb's solo home run. The Spartans made it a 2-0 game in the third on Jewett's RBI double to the gap in right center.
The 49ers answered with five runs in the third, taking advantage of six walks and just two hits. A Lorena Vela double brought in Charlotte's first run, and back-to-back-to-back walks forced in two more. Kalie Lang's two-run single knocked UNCG starter Josie Felix from the game, and reliever Raeanne Hanks walked the first batter she faced before getting a strikeout to end the inning.
Trailing for the first time on the day, UNCG threatened in the bottom half of the frame, but again left the bases loaded. Walks by Alex Emeterio and Jewett put runners on first and second and Katelyn Bedwell was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Charlotte then went to the bullpen for game one starter Hackett, who struck out the next two batters to end the threat.
Charlotte added two more in the sixth on an RBI single by Kendra McCall and an RBI groundout by Tenaya Tucker.
Katie Watkins (1-4) picked up her first win of the season, allowing two runs on six hits and seven walks. Hackett earned her first save of the season, working 2 2/3 scoreless innings.
Felix (3-3) took the loss, allowing five runs on two hits and eight walks in 4 2/3 innings. The game featured a combined 18 walks.
Horsmon and Robb had two hits each to pace the Spartans.
UNCG returns to action on Saturday, March 19, when it opens Southern Conference play with a doubleheader against College of Charleston at the UNCG Softball Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
AGATE
UNCG 3, Charlotte 49ers 2 (Mar 09, 2011 at Greensboro, N.C.) (Game 1)
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Charlotte 49ers..... 000 000 2 - 2 4 0 (8-10)
UNCG................ 000 020 1 - 3 4 3 (9-10)
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Pitchers: Charlotte 49ers - Katy Hackett. UNCG - Cory Mattson.
Win-Cory Mattson(4-7) Loss-Katy Hackett(7-5) T-1:42 A-32
HR CHA - Briana Gwaltney (4).
Weather: 43 degrees and cloudy
Charlotte 49ers 7, UNCG 2 (Mar 09, 2011 at Greensboro, N.C.) (Game 2)
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Charlotte 49ers..... 000 052 0 - 7 5 0 (9-10)
UNCG................ 011 000 0 - 2 8 0 (9-11)
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Pitchers: Charlotte 49ers - Katie Watkins; Katy Hackett(5). UNCG - Josie Felix; Raeanne Hanks(5).
Win-Katie Watkins(1-4) Save-Katy Hackett(1) Loss-Josie Felix(3-3) T-2:12 A-47
HR UNCG - Heather Robb (1).
Weather: 51 degrees, cloudy
- UNCG -
