MACON, Ga. – The UNCG softball team rallied to take game two against Mercer, 8-5, to split a doubleheader Saturday at Sikes Field after falling 7-2 in game one.  

The Spartans hold a 16-18 overall record and are 2-9 in SoCon action. Mercer is 29-16 and has a 5-3 record conference mark.

Junior Nicole Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood) hit two home runs in the doubleheader and earned the win in game two.

Mercer 7, UNCG 2

In game one, the Bears scored three runs in back-to-back innings to defeat the Spartans, 7-2.

Kirsten Stevens improved to 19-6 after throwing a complete game allowing two earned runs off seven hits. Freshman pitcher Alicia Bazonski (Sheffield, Mass./Mount Everett) took the loss falling to 7-8 on the season.

Senior Tatiana Alcala (Oxnard, Calif./Pacifica) went 2-for-3 with a run scored to lead the team.

Mercer took a early 1-0 lead in the first inning after Caroline Taylor lined a RBI single up the middle. Taylor Miller started the inning with a infield single and moved to second after Riley Carter walked with one out. Taylor earned her 32^nd RBI of the season to give the Bears a 1-0 advantage.

In the third inning, N. Thomas blasted a solo home run to left center to tie the game at 1-1. It was Nicole Thomas' team leading seventh home run of the season.

The Bears regained the lead with a three-run fifth inning, including a two-out two run home run from Taylor. Emma Andrew beat out a infield single to start the frame. After two outs, Carter lined a RBI triple to right field. Taylor followed with her 10^th home run to give Mercer a 4-1 lead. 

Mercer added three runs off three hits with a UNCG error in the sixth inning. With two outs, the Bears kept the inning alive as pinch hitter Molly Garmany singled to right field. Andrew singled to put two runners on. Miller reached off a Spartan error that allowed a run to score. Meghan Rudd lined a two-run single to give Mercer a 7-1 lead.

The Spartans made one last rally loading the bases in the seventh inning. Alcala singled with one out and pinch-hitter Hagan Kiser (Asheboro, N.C./Southwestern) singled to left field. N. Thomas walked with two outs to load the bases. Junior Danielle Vega (Rialto, Calif./Aquinas) lined a RBI single up the middle to make the score 7-2. Stevens ended the game with a pop out to seal the victory for Mercer.

UNCG 8, Mercer 5

In game two, a key sixth inning grand slam from sophomore Tory Wright (Potomac Falls, Va./Dominion) gave UNCG a 8-4 lead and held on to defeat Mercer, 8-5.

N. Thomas threw six innings to improve to 4-7 on the season after allowing five runs (four earned) with three strikeouts.

Alcala picked up two more hits and Vega went 2-for-3 at the plate.

UNCG took a 2-0 lead in the first inning after Nicole Thomas smoked a two-run home run to left center. Alcala singled through the right side with one out. N. Thomas blasted her eighth home run of the season and second of the series.

Mercer cut the lead to 2-1 after a RBI sacrifice fly from Quirisa Mauga. The Bears loaded the bases with no outs but only scored one run off a sacrifice fly. Nicole Thomas ended the threat with two swinging strikeouts.

In the top of the fourth, junior Lindsay Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood) smashed a two-run home run to dead center to push UNCG's lead to 4-1. Vega singled with one out and L. Thomas hit her fifth home run of the season.

The Bears tied the game with three runs in the fifth inning off two hits and a Spartan error. . Rud cut the lead to 4-2 on a sacrifice fly. Carter had a clutch two-run double to right center to tie the game at 4-4.

UNCG responded to re-take the lead in the sixth inning on a grand slam from Wright to make the score 8-4 Spartans. Alcala singled down the left field line to start the inning. With one out, Vega singled and Lindsay Thomas walked to load the bases. Wright smashed her fourth home run to left center giving UNCG a 8-4 lead. 

In the seventh inning, the Bears would continue to fight, scoring a run off a Carter RBI single up the middle to cut the lead to 8-5. Bazonski would end the game with a strike out swinging and a ground out to give UNCG the victory, 8-5.

The Blue and Gold will face Mercer in a rubber game Sunday, April 12 at 1 p.m. at Sikes Field.  

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