GREENVILLE, S.C. – UNCG led 2-0 after three innings and rode a strong pitching performance by Cory Mattson to a 2-1 win over Furman on Sunday to avoid a series sweep and snap a three-game losing streak.
Mattson (9-11) allowed just one run, scattering six hits and just one walk. She struck out three.
The Spartans (12-21, 4-5 Southern Conference) got on the board in the top of the first inning, with Eileen Horsmon hitting a two-out RBI single to knock in Aubrey Baldwin, who reached on a single earlier in the frame.
UNCG made it 2-0 in the third, with Ashey Reetz reaching on an error to lead off and Aisha Figueroa following with a single through the left side. A Baldwin sacrifice advanced both runners, and Alex Emeterio lifted a sacrifice fly to left to score Reetz with what would prove to be the winning run.
After Furman's Nikki Legg lined into a double play with a runner on third to end the third inning, the Paladins (12-18, 3-6 SoCon) got a run back in the fourth. Taylor Jenkins led off with a double to center field, and after moving up on a wild pitch, she came in on a Lauren Collier groundout to cut the Spartans' lead in half.
The Paladins got their leadoff batter on base to start the fifth, but after a sacrifice moved her to second, Mattson induced a pair of groundouts to end the inning. Furman got a two-out walk and a single by Collier in the sixth but Mattson got another grounder to end that threat.
The Paladins had one last shot in the seventh inning, getting a one-out single from Sarah Eidt before Hannah Pace was hit by a pitch, but Mattson got a strikeout and a flyout to end the game.
UNCG had a couple of chances to add some insurance late but couldn't cash in. In the sixth, Emterio drew a one-out walk and Horsmon followed with a single. One out later, Emeterio was erased at third on a fielder's choice to end the inning and strand a pair of Spartans.
UNCG had a runner reach third in the seventh inning, but Dominique Madruga, who singled to lead off the inning, was stranded there, as well.
Horsmon was 2-for-3 to lead UNCG at the plate, while Eidt was 2-for-2 to pace Furman.
The Paladins' Lakyn Shull (5-6) took the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk in seven innings.
UNCG returns to action next weekend when heads to Birmingham, Ala., for a three-game SoCon set at Samford.
AGATE
UNCG 2, Furman 1 (Mar 25, 2012 at Greenville, S.C.)
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UNCG................ 101 000 0 - 2 5 1 (12-21, 4-5 SoCon)
Furman.............. 000 100 0 - 1 6 2 (12-18, 3-6 SoCon)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Cory Mattson and . Furman - Lakyn Shull and .
Win-Cory Mattson(9-11) Loss-Lakyn Shull(5-6) T-1:24 A-74
Weather: 65, partly cloudy and windy
- UNCG -
