GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG softball team scored eight runs off 10 hits but it wasn't enough as NC State held on for a 11-8 victory Wednesday at the UNCG Softball Stadium.

The Spartans drop to 12-9 on the season and NC State improves to 15-9.

Junior Danica Bishop (Irvine, Calif./Woodbridge/Nebraska) took the loss falling to 2-2 on the season. Emily Weiman improved to 10-6 after throwing four innings for the Wolfpack.

Junior Allison Geiner (Raleigh, N.C./Middle Creek) went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and a run scored. Classmate  Lacey Leary (Norwood, N.C./South Stanly/Spartanburg Methodist College) was 2-for-4 with a solo home run and three RBI. Sophomore Tory Wright (Potomac Falls, Va./Dominion) finished with two hits and a solo home run.

Tyler Ross led NC State going 2-for-4 with a three-run home run.

NC State took a 2-0 lead off two hits in the first inning. Renada Davis and Ross both reached off walks. Molly Hutchison lined a RBI double off the left field wall and RBI sacrifice fly from Maggie Hawkins.

The Wolfpack took a 5-0 advantage after Tyler Ross launched a three-run home run to centerfield in the third inning.

NC State picked up two more insurance runs in the third inning off two hits. Lana Van Dyken reached after being hit by a pitch to start the inning. Sara Lippard worked a walk to setup runners at first and second. Macauley Prickett lined a RBI single to centerfield to make it 6-0 NC State. Davis gave the Wolfpack a 7-0 lead after a RBI sacrifice fly to left field. 

UNCG responded with a four-run third inning thanks to a three-run home run from junior Nicole Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood). Nicole Thomas blasted her team leading third home run of the season and extended her reach base streak to 21 games.

The Blue and Gold cut the lead to 7-6 after scoring two runs off two hits in the fifth inning. With two outs, the Spartans loaded the bases after Nicole Thomas and Wright worked walks. Leary lined a two-run single to centerfield to inch UNCG close at 7-6. 

The Wolfpack would answer with four runs in the sixth inning off three hits. With one out, Ross singled and Hutchinson walked. After a double steal, Burroughs lined a RBI single to left field. Lana Van Dyken roped a two-run double to right field giving NC State a 10-6 lead. Prickett earned the final RBI of the frame off a fielder's choice.

In the seventh inning, UNCG made one last rally hitting back-to-back home runs with two outs. Wright blasted her second home run of the season and Leary followed with her third to cut the lead to 11-8. Courtney Mirabella earned her first save of the season getting a groundout to end the game.

The Spartans open Southern Conference play on the road against Chattanooga starting with a doubleheader Saturday, March 21 at 3 p.m.

Be sure to follow all updates about the UNCG softball team on www.uncgspartans.com or on twitter @UNCGsports/@UNCGsoftball.