LYNCHBURG, Va. – Katelyn Bedwell had four RBI and a game-winning home run in game one and Heather Robb had four RBI in game two as UNCG swept a nonconference doubleheader at Liberty on Wednesday, taking wins of 6-5 and 9-1.
The Spartans (16-22) rallied late to take game one, scoring five unanswered runs after trailing 5-1 heading into the sixth inning. After tying the game at 5 in the sixth, Bedwell hit a solo homer with two outs in the seventh to lift UNCG to the dramatic win.
UNCG tied it with four runs in the sixth. Bedwell had a two-run single after leadoff singles from Aubrey Baldwin and Alex Emeterio, and Tatiana Alcala later came in on a Liberty error. The Spartans tied things at 5 on Aisha Figueroa's bases-loaded infield single, which knocked in Dominique Madruga.
Liberty drew first blood in the contest, scoring twice in the third inning on Jenny Law's two-out, two-run double. UNCG got a run back the next inning on Bedwell's sacrifice fly, but Law gave the Lady Flames some breathing room with a three-run homer in the fifth inning.
Baldwin, Emeterio and Bedwell had two hits each for the Spartans, while Law was 2-for-4 with five RBI to pace Liberty at the plate.
Erica Navarette (5-8) picked up the win with two innings of perfect relief, striking out one. Starter Cory Mattson did not factor into the decision, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks in five innings.
Alyssa DiMartino (6-14) blew the save opportunity and took the loss, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings.
Game two saw UNCG score runs in bunches. The Spartans quickly bolted out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, with Bedwell hitting another sacrifice fly, Robb hitting an two-run double and Madruga rapping out an RBI single.
The Lady Flames got one of those runs back in the bottom of the first on Kaylee West's RBI double, but UNCG blew the game open with a five-run third.
Eileen Horsmon kept pace with Bedwell for the team home run lead with her ninth of the season to lead off the inning. After a Bedwell walk, Robb launched her fifth homer of the year to make it 7-1.
Madruga then singled through the left side, and two outs later, Figueroa doubled down the left field line to score Madruga. Figueroa stole third and came in on a Liberty throwing error to put the game into mercy rule territory just three innings in.
Navarette kept the Lady Flames off the board the rest of the way, tossing a four-hitter for her fifth win of the season.
Liberty Grace Nordan (0-2) didn't make it out of the first, allowing four runs on three hits and a walk in 2/3 of an inning.
Figueroa, Emeterio, Robb and Madruga had two hits each for the Spartans. West had two of Liberty's four hits.
UNCG returns to action Friday when it hosts Southern Conference leader Georgia Southern for a doubleheader at the UNCG Softball Stadium starting at 5 p.m. The three-game set will wrap with a 1 p.m. game Saturday.
AGATE
UNCG 6, Liberty 5 (04-04-12 at Lynchburg, Va.) (Game 1)
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UNCG................ 000 104 1 - 6 7 1 (15-22)
Liberty............. 002 030 0 - 5 4 1 (10-20)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Cory Mattson; Erica Navarette(6) and Toni MacReynolds. Liberty -
Chandler Ball; Alyssa DiMartino(5) and Amber Donovan.
Win-Erica Navarette(4-8) Loss-Alyssa DiMartino(6-14) T-1:35 A-115
HR UNCG - Katelyn Bedwell (9).
HR LIBERTY - Jenny Law (1).
Weather: 81 degrees, partly cloudy
C. Ball faced 1 batter in the 5th.
UNCG 9, Liberty 1 (04-04-12 at Lynchburg, Va.) (Game 2)
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UNCG................ 405 00 - 9 10 1 (16-22)
Liberty............. 100 00 - 1 4 1 (10-21)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Erica Navarette and Katelyn Bedwell. Liberty - Grace Nordan; Chandler Ball(1);
Alyssa DiMartino(4) and Sydnei Lester.
Win-Erica Navarette(5-8) Loss-Grace Nordan(0-2) T-1:22 A-115
HR UNCG - Eileen Horsmon (9); Heather Robb (5).
Weather: 81 degrees, partly cloudy
- UNCG -
