JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Virginia Tech scored nine runs over the final two innings to blow open what had been a tie game, and UNCG had some missed opportunities despite a bevy of base-runners in a 12-3 loss to the Hokies in six innings Sunday, the final day of the Wingate by Wyndham Opening Weekend Tournament at Jacksonville University's JU Softball Complex.
UNCG (0-5), which stranded nine runners in the contest, battled back from a pair of early deficits but saw the Hokies (5-0) score five runs in the fifth inning and four runs in the sixth to take the win.
With the game tied at 3 heading into the fifth, Dani Anderson led off with a single and Courtney Liddle followed with a two-run home run to put the Hokies ahead to stay. One out and two walks later, Kristen Froehlich lifted a three-run homer to left field to make it 8-3.
The following inning, Liddle got things going again with a one-out RBI double. With two down, the Hokies got three straight RBI hits to put the game out of reach.
Virginia Tech opened the scoring with an unearned run in the first inning. The Spartans threatened in the bottom of the second, loading the bases with two outs on a Dominique Madruga walk and back-to-back singles from Ashley Reetz and Toni MacReynolds, but VT starter Isabella Corrao got a groundout to escape unscathed.
The Hokies made it 2-0 in the third when Lauren Gaskill came in on a wild pitch, but this time, UNCG did have the answer in the bottom half of the frame. The Spartans again loaded the bases, this time with no one out, with Aisha Figueroa hitting a leadoff single, Tatiana Alcala reaching on an error and Eileen Horsmon working the count full and fouling off two pitches before drawing a walk.
Katelyn Bedwell knocked in UNCG's first run of the day with an RBI groundout, and one out later, Madruga's infield single brought in Alcala to knot the game at 2.
The Hokies reclaimed the lead in the top of the fourth when Kelsey Mericka scored on UNCG's second error of the day, but the Spartans would again tie it up in the bottom half. MacReynolds led off with a double, and Kiah Ruffin's bunt single put runners on the corners. Figueroa reached on a fielder's choice that brought in pinch-runner Aubrey Baldwin, and Ruffin advanced to third on the play to again put runners at the corners with no one out.
UNCG missed a chance to take the lead in the inning, with Ruffin getting gunned down at the plate caught stealing for the first out. Virginia Tech reliever Bailey Liddle then got a lineout and a strikeout to keep the game tied at 3.
The Hokies would take the lead for good the following inning.
MacReynolds went 2-for-3 at the plate for UNCG, while Madruga was 1-for-1 with an RBI and two walks.
Courtney Liddle was 3-for-3 with two runs and three RBI, while Froehlich was 3-for-4 with a run and four RBI. Anderson and Mericka scored three runs each.
UNCG starter Josie Felix took the no-decision, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings. Erica Navarette (0-2), who appeared in all five of UNCG's games over the weekend, took the loss after allowing nine runs on seven hits and four walks in 2 1/3 innings.
Bailey Liddle (2-0) picked up the win with three innings of one-hit relief, while starter Corrao took the no-decision after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks in three innings.
UNCG returns to action next weekend at East Carolina's Pirate Clash in Greenville, N.C. The Spartans will face Fordham and ECU on Friday at 3 and 5 p.m., respectively.
AGATE
Virginia Tech 12, UNCG 3 (Feb 12, 2012 at Jacksonville, Fla.)
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Virginia Tech....... 101 154 - 12 10 1 (5-0)
UNCG................ 002 100 - 3 6 2 (0-5)
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Pitchers: Virginia Tech - Isabella Corrao; Bailey Liddle(4) and Betty Rose. UNCG - Josie Felix; Erica Navarette(4) and Katelyn Bedwell.
Win-Bailey Liddle(2-0) Loss-Erica Navarette(0-2) T-2:04 A-108
HR VT - Courtney Liddle (3); Kristen Froehlich (3).
Weather: 35 and sunny
Corrao, I. faced 1 batter in the 4th.
- UNCG -
