For UNCG coach Jennifer Herzig's postgame comments, click here.
GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG swept a doubleheader from Liberty on Wednesday, taking game one 9-1 in 5 innings and holding on for a 7-6 win in game two.
Josie Felix and Cory Mattson combined to three-hit the Lady Flames (12-16) in game one.
The Spartans (17-18) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in game one, with Aisha Figueroa knocking in the first run with a bases-loaded walk in the second inning and Alex Emeterio knocking in another with an infield single. The Spartans picked up another run on Emeterio's hit on a Liberty throwing error.
The Lady Flames got a run back in the fourth on Kelly Strickland's mammoth home run to center, but UNCG blew the game open with four runs in the bottom half.
Heather Robb's RBI single brought in the first run of the inning and Kaitlin Merkt came around on another Liberty error. Katelyn Bedwell followed with a two-run single to make it a 7-1 contest.
The Spartans put the mercy rule into effect the following inning, with Kristen Gabel and Figueroa leading off with infield singles and Emeterio lacing an RBI single to the gap in left center. One out later, Robb singled through the right side to knock in Figueroa with the game-ending run.
Despite getting just three hits, Liberty stranded seven runners, including leaving the bases loaded in the top of the fifth. Back-to-back two-out walks loaded the bases for the Lady Flames, but Mattson retired Jenny Law on a flyout to center to end the threat.
Emeterio was 3-for-4 with two RBI to pace the Spartans at the plate in game one, while Figueroa and Robb had two hits each.
Felix (5-7) worked 3 1/3 innings, allowing a run on two hits and three walks. Mattson picked up the save with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Tiffani Smith (4-9) worked 2 innings, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks. Katrina Johnson was tagged for six runs on eight hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Game two again saw UNCG get out to a 7-1 lead, but this time the Lady Flames had an answer.
UNCG drew first blood in the first inning on Merkt's RBI double, but Liberty came right back with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Amber DePasquale to tie things at 1 after an inning and a half.
The Spartans responded with a pair in the bottom half of the second on Bedwell's first career homer, a two-run shot to center that made it 3-1.
UNCG seemed to blow it open with four runs in the fourth, banging out five hits to make it a 7-1 game. Bedwell and Robb had RBI singles, while Jordan Jewett scored on an error and Figueroa knocked in a run with a groundout.
Looking at the possibility of being mercy-ruled for the second time on the day, Liberty came roaring back with five runs of its own in the bottom half, also on five hits.
Strickland got the scoring started with her second homer of the day, a two-run shot. A single, a double and a walk loaded the bases, and DePasquale knocked in a pair with a sharp single off of Robb's glove at second.
Liberty crept even closer in the sixth on a Grace Nordan's bases-loaded walk, but UNCG would hang on for the win.
Bedwell, Gabel and Merkt had two hits each for the Spartans, while Katie Zavodny and Strickland had two each for the Lady Flames.
Raeanne Hanks (4-2) earned the win, allowing five runs (four earned) in 4 1/3 innings. Mattson picked up her second save of the day by allowing a run in 2 2/3 innings.
Alyssa DiMartino (1-3) took the loss, allowing five runs on five hits in 3 innings.
UNCG returns to action this weekend at Southern Conference leader Chattanooga. The teams will play a doubleheader Saturday followed by a single game Sunday.
AGATE
UNCG 9, Liberty 1 (Apr 06, 2011 at Greensboro, N.C.) (Game 1)
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Liberty............. 000 10 - 1 3 2 (12-15)
UNCG................ 030 42 - 9 11 0 (15-18)
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Pitchers: Liberty - Tiffani Smith; Katrina Johnson(3). UNCG - Josie Felix; Cory Mattson(4).
Win-Josie Felix(5-7) Save-Cory Mattson(2) Loss-Tiffani Smith(4-9) T-1:35 A-0
HR LIBERTY - Kelly Strickland.
K. Johnson faced 3 batters in the 5th.
UNCG 7, Liberty 6 (Apr 06, 2011 at Greensboro, N.C.) (Game 2)
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Liberty............. 010 041 0 - 6 8 1 (12-16)
UNCG................ 120 400 X - 7 10 1 (17-18)
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Pitchers: Liberty - Alyssa DiMartino; Tiffani Smith(4). UNCG - Raeanne Hanks; Cory Mattson(5).
Win-Raeanne Hanks(4-2) Save-Cory Mattson(3) Loss-Alyssa DiMartino(1-3) T-1:48 A-155
HR LIBERTY - Kelly Strickland.
HR UNCG - Katelyn Bedwell (1).
A DiMartino faced 2 batters in the 4th.
- UNCG -
