RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The UNCG softball team run-ruled Howard, 11-1 in five innings but fell to host UC Riverside, 8-7, in a walk off to split Day One of the Highlander Classic Friday at Amy S. Harrison Field.

The Spartans sit at 10-4 on the season and saw their eight-game winning streak snapped by UC Riverside. The Highlanders go 1-1 on the day and are 17-6 overall.

UNCG 11, Howard 1 (five innings)

In game one, the Blue and Gold used a big seven-run third inning to run-rule Howard, 11-1 in five innings.

Junior Lacey Leary (Norwood, N.C./South Stanly/Spartanburg Methodist College) tossed a one-hitter picking up her second win of the season, allowing just one earned run with two strikeouts. Classmate Danica Bishop (Irvine, Calif./Woodbridge/Nebraska) finished the game with a strong 1-2-3 seventh inning.

Junior Lindsay Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood) went 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored.

The Spartans struck first for seven runs off four hits and two Howard errors. Freshman Alexis Overdiep (Apex, N.C./Apex) lined a two-run double to left field to give UNCG a 2-0 lead. After a error, Lindsay Thomas singled up the middle, scoring two runs to make it 4-0 Spartans. Junior Danielle Vega (Rialto, Calif./Aquinas) walked and Nicole Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood) roped a two-run double to right center as UNCG went ahead 6-0. Pinch-runner Allison Geiner (Raleigh, N.C./Middle Creek) scored on a error by Howard's third baseman for the final run of the inning. 

Howard broke up the no-hitter with a double from Deja Henderson to start the fourth inning. After a walk and a wild pitch, the Bison added a run off a RBI groundout to make the score 7-1 UNCG.

In the bottom of fourth inning, UNCG added four runs off four hits to extend its lead to 11-1 against Howard. The Spartans loaded the bases with no outs as pinch-hitter Kendall McKinney (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) blasted a two-run double off the left field wall. Leary followed with a double to left field scoring two more runs to push UNCG's lead to 11-1.

Bishop closed the victory with a quick seventh inning on a strike out and two groundouts.

UC Riverside 8, UNCG 7

In game two, the Highlanders scored two runs in the seventh inning to upset UNCG in a walk off 8-7 victory.

Freshman Mackenzie Winslow (Mooresville, N.C./Lake Norman) took the tough loss in relief after throwing 1.2 innings and gave up two earned runs. UNCG tagged Chelsea Ponce for four earned runs off five hits in 2.1 innings. Rebecca Faulkner earned the win despite giving up the go-ahead three-run home run in the seventh inning.  

Vega was 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Nicole Thomas finished 2-for-3 and Madruga collected two hits.

UC Riverside took a 3-0 lead off four hits and a error in the second inning. Haley Harris singled up the middle to start the inning. After a sacrifice bunt, Kris DeAnda singled home a run to give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead. UC Riverside made it 2-0 after a error and Stephanie Tickemyer lined a RBI single for the final run of the inning.

UNCG would respond with four runs in the third inning off four hits, including a towering three-run blast from Lindsay Thomas to deep centerfield. Overdiep beat out a infield single and Dominique Madruga (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic) doubled to left field. Lindsay Thomas would tie the game with her second home run of the season. Vega singled up the middle and Nicole Thomas walked. With two outs, Vega scored on a illegal pitch by the Highlander pitcher to give the Spartans a 4-3 advantage.

The Highlanders came back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth off one hit. UC Riverside earned back-to-back walks to start the inning. The Spartans were able to induce two outs but a hit by pitch and a RBI walk tied the game at 4-4. Tickemyer singled up the middle to push UC Riverside ahead 5-4 and another RBI walk made the score 6-4 when the inning concluded.

In the top of the seventh, Vega singled with one out and redshirt freshman Sidney Grkman (Salisbury, N.C./Jesse Carson) beat out a infield single to keep the inning alive. Leary would pinch-hit and deliver a clutch two-out three-run home run to give UNCG a 7-6 lead.

UC Riverside would battle back tying the game in the seventh inning off a sacrifice fly from Tickemyer. After a intentional walk to load the bases, Chelsey Holley lined a single to center to give the Highlanders the walk off 8-7 win.

Day Two at the Highlander Classic resumes Saturday with the Spartans facing LMU twice at noon and 2:30 p.m. 

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