BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UNCG split a Southern Conference doubleheader at Samford on Saturday, winning the first game 5-3 before falling 2-1 in the second contest. Toni MacReynolds and Dominique Madruga hit their first career home runs on the day.
The Spartans (13-22, 5-6 SoCon) trailed 3-2 late in game one but used a three-run sixth inning to rally for the win. Aubrey Baldwin led off the frame with a single to center and Alex Emeterio dropped down a bunt single to put two runners on. After Eileen Horsmon sacrificed both runners over, Katelyn Bedwell singled to right to knock both of them in.
After an error allowed Heather Robb to reach, Madruga singled to bring in Bedwell for the third run of the inning.
UNCG took a 2-0 lead in the contest in the second inning, with Madruga reaching on an error with two outs and MacReynolds, a sophomore, following with a homer down the left field line.
The Bulldogs (9-26, 3-8 SoCon) took the lead in the fifth inning by scoring a trio of runs, two of which were unearned. Samford batted around in the frame, rapping out four hits and taking advantage of a UNCG error.
Julianne Surane led off the inning with a single and came in on a UNCG error. Alex Adams knocked in another run on an infield single, and Misha Aldridge drove in the go-ahead run with a single to left field.
UNCG starter Cory Mattson reached double digits in wins for the third straight season, improving to 10-11 overall by allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits and three walks in five innings. Erica Navarette earned her third save of the season, allowing just one hit in two scoreless innings of relief.
Aldridge (5-13) took the loss for the Bulldogs, allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits in seven innings. She struck out four.
Aisha Figueroa had two of the Spartans' eight hits in the game, while Adams and Aldridge had two each to pace Samford.
Runs were scarce in game two, with Samford taking a 1-0 lead in the fourth. After Shelby Scott's leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt, Rachel Bickert hit an RBI double to the gap in right center to put the Bulldogs on top.
Samford added to its lead in the sixth inning, getting a crucial insurance run when Abby Adams hit a double and came in on Carolina Seay's flyout.
The Spartans broke up the shutout in the top of the seventh inning when Madruga, a freshman, hit a one-out homer to left center. Scott retired the next two batters in order to nail down the win.
Scott improved to 2-4, allowing just one run on four hits and four walks. She struck out two.
Navarette (2-8) took the loss despite a solid pitching performance, allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks in six innings. She also struck out two.
Madison Dickey had a game-high two hits for Samford.
Game three of the series will be Sunday at 2 p.m. Eastern.
AGATE
UNCG 5, Samford 3 (Mar 31, 2012 at Birmingham, Ala.) (Game 1)
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UNCG................ 020 003 0 - 5 8 1 (13-21, 5-5 SoCon)
Samford............. 000 030 0 - 3 8 2 (8-26, 2-8 SoCon)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Cory Mattson; Erica Navarette(6) and Toni MacReynolds. Samford - Misha Aldridge
and Madison Dickey.
Win-Cory Mattson(10-11) Save-Erica Navarette(3) Loss-Misha Aldridge(5-13) T-2:45 A-94
HR UNCG - Toni MacReynolds (1).
Weather: 73 degrees, cloudy
Samford 2, UNCG 1 (Mar 31, 2012 at Birmingham, Ala.) (Game 2)
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UNCG................ 000 000 1 - 1 4 0 (13-22, 5-6 SoCon)
Samford............. 000 101 X - 2 7 0 (9-26, 3-8 SoCon)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Erica Navarette and Katelyn Bedwell. Samford - Shelby Scott and Madison Dickey.
Win-Shelby Scott(2-4) Loss-Erica Navarette(2-8) T-1:30 A-68
HR UNCG - Dominique Madruga (1).
Weather: 77 degrees, partly cloudy
- UNCG -
