For UNCG coach Jennifer Herzig's postgame comments, click here.
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Kaitlin Merkt hit her team-best ninth home run of the season and Cory Mattson matched her career high with her 10th win of the year as UNCG split a doubleheader with Appalachian State on Sunday. The Apps took game one 1-0 and the Spartans picked up a 4-0 win in game two.
Mattson (10-11) threw all 14 innings and allowed just one run for the Spartans (19-24, 7-8 Southern Conference) on the day, coming out on the wrong end of a pitchers' duel in game one and tossing a two-hitter in game two.
The Mountaineers (17-19, 10-6 SoCon) scored their only run against Mattson in the third inning of game one. After Sarah Rappe slid in under the tag to steal second with two outs, Katie Boyd doubled off the wall in right center to bring in Rappe with the only run of the game for either team.
UNCG never could get its offense in gear in the contest, with its best chance to score coming in the bottom half of the third. A hit by Katelyn Bedwell and a walk by Eileen Horsmon to lead off the inning seemed to have the Spartans in business, but Horsmon was picked off straying too far off first on a pitch in the dirt and App starter Caitlin Wainright got a strikeout for out No. 2.
Aisha Figueroa drew a walk to again put two on, but Wainright coaxed a popup on the infield to escape unharmed.
The teams would combine for just five more hits the rest of the way as Wainright and Mattson matched each other zero-for-zero.
The Apps had a chance to add an insurance run in the sixth when a walk to Boyd and a Meghan Smith single put a pair of runners on, but Mattson struck out the next two batters to keep the game tight.
Mattson took the loss, scattering six hits and allowing just the one run, striking out five. Wainright (3-4) matched her career high with nine strikeouts, allowing just three hits in her third shutout of the season.
The Spartans avoided the series sweep in game two, getting the only runs they would need in the second inning. Alex Emeterio led off the frame with a single to left, and after Merkt fouled off a pair of bunt attempts trying to move her over, the redshirt senior took the third pitch she saw out to the deepest part of the park for her 32nd career jack.
UNCG made it a 3-0 game the following inning, with Emeterio knocking in Gabel, who singled to lead off the inning. Gabel would score again in the fifth, drawing a leadoff walk, moving to third on a pair of sacrifices and coming in on a wild pitch.
Mattson was masterful in the contest, carrying a one-hitter into the seventh. The only damage to that point was Boyd's single up the middle in the third inning, while McKenzie Phillips' single up the middle with one out in the seventh inning was ASU's only other safety in the contest.
The Apps threatened to break up the shutout in the seventh, as a UNCG error with two outs put runners on the corners, but Mattson struck out Megan Rembielak to end the game.
Emeterio finished the game 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI, while Merkt was 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run.
Louise Gibson (5-6) took the loss for the Apps, allowing three runs on six hits in 4 innings. Wainright worked the remainder of the game, allowing a run on one hit.
Mattson struck out six and walked three in matching the career high in wins she set last season. The shutout was her second of the season and first since no-hitting then-No. 23 Florida State 1-0 on Feb. 11.
She had solid defensive play behind her for most of the day, as Horsmon turned an unassisted double play in the first inning of game one and Gabel and April Langley both made outstanding grabs on the run in the outfield.
The Spartans return to action Friday and Saturday for a SoCon series at Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Ga.
AGATE
Appalachian State 1, UNCG 0 (Apr 17, 2011 at Greensboro, N.C.) (Game 1)
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Appalachian State... 001 000 0 - 1 6 0 (17-18, 10-5 SoCon)
UNCG................ 000 000 0 - 0 3 0 (18-24, 6-8 SoCon)
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Pitchers: Appalachian State - Caitlin Wainright. UNCG - Cory Mattson.
Win-Caitlin Wainright(3-4) Loss-Cory Mattson(9-11) T-1:21 A-0
Weather: 55 degrees, sunny
UNCG 4, Appalachian State 0 (Apr 17, 2011 at Greensboro, N.C.) (Game 2)
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Appalachian State... 000 000 0 - 0 2 1 (17-19, 10-6 SoCon)
UNCG................ 021 010 X - 4 7 2 (19-24, 7-8 SoCon)
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Pitchers: Appalachian State - Louise Gibson; Caitlin Wainright(5). UNCG - Cory Mattson.
Win-Cory Mattson(10-11) Loss-Louise Gibson(5-6) T-1:28 A-184
HR UNCG - Kaitlin Merkt (9).
Weather: 62 degrees, sunny
- UNCG -
