For video of UNCG coach Jennifer Herzig's postgame comments, click here.

GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG pitcher Cory Mattson allowed just a fifth-inning single and Katelyn Bedwell was 3-for-3 with a home run as the Spartans rolled past North Carolina Central at the UNCG Softball Stadium on Wednesday, 8-0 in six innings.

Mattson (4-4) cruised from the start, facing the minimum the first time through the order. Andrea Searls broke up Mattson's no-hit bid with a clean single up the middle to lead off the fifth inning.

Shakemia Edwards sacrificed Searls up a base, but that would be the Lady Eagles' lone runner to reach second in the contest. Mattson struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

Bedwell, meanwhile, staked Mattson to the only runs she would need in the bottom of the first, hitting a mammoth two-run home run to dead center.

The Spartans (6-11) added a run in the fourth to make it 3-0, with Tatiana Alcala coming on Toni MacReynolds' suicide squeeze.

UNCG blew it open with a five-run sixth to put the mercy rule into effect. The Spartans batted around in the frame, with Aubrey Baldwin and Eileen Horsmon hitting back-to-back two-run doubles to make it 7-0. After a walk and an error loaded the bases, Alcala hit a fielder's choice to first. Amanda Bullock threw home to try to get Horsmon at the plate, but her throw was off the mark, allowing Horsmon to score and ending the game.

Bianka Molina (1-7) took the loss for NCCU (1-16), allowing three runs on three hits in four innings. Kayla McPeek was tagged for five runs (four earned) on four hits in an inning and a third.

Mattson walked two and struck out a season-high eight.

Baldwin, Horsmon and Bedwell had two RBI each for the Spartans, who picked up seven hits. Bedwell had a sixth-inning walk to go with her three hits as she reached base all four times she came to the plate.

Three Spartans were playing positions for the first time their collegiate careers. Senior Alex Emeterio made her first career start in left field, while junior Heather Robb started at shortstop and freshman Dominique Madruga started at second. Alcala, a freshman, made her 15th start at third base, a position she had never played before coming to UNCG in the fall.

UNCG returns to action Thursday at Charlotte for a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m.

AGATE
UNCG 8, N.C. Central 0 (Mar 07, 2012 at Greensboro, N.C.)
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N.C. Central........ 000 000  -  0  1  3      (1-16)
UNCG................ 200 105  -  8  7  0      (6-11)
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Pitchers: N.C. Central - Bianka Molina; Kayla McPeek(5); Aurora Baker(6) and Andrea Searls.
UNCG - Cory Mattson and Toni MacReynolds.
Win-Cory Mattson(4-4)  Loss-Bianka Molina(1-7)  T-1:33  A-27
HR UNCG - Katelyn Bedwell (4).
Weather: 65 degrees, partly cloudy
Baker faced 3 batters in the 6th.

- UNCG -