JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The UNCG softball team opened up the 2016 season against the Jacksonville University Dolphins on Thursday evening at the Pruitt Softball Complex on the Jacksonville University campus.  The Spartans suffered a 7-5 loss and are 0-1 to start the season. 

Lindsay Thomas finished the night 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Nicole Thomas went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.  Rachael McClaskey, Tory Wright, Sidney Grkman, and Alexis Overdiep each added a hit in the contest.  Nicole Thomas, Kendall McKinney, Grkman, Overdiep and Emily Lopez each scored runs in the game.

The Spartans took the lead in the top of the third inning.  Lopez led off the inning getting hit by a pitch, and moved to second on a Lindsay Thomas single to center.  After a sacrifice bunt from Rachael McClaskey moved the runners into scoring position, Nicole Thomas singled up the middle to put the Spartans up 1-0.

UNCG increased its lead in the top of the fourth inning.  Grkman singled to left and moved up on a single from Overdiep.  After a Lopez sacrifice bunt, the Dolphins attempted to intentionally walk Lindsay Thomas.  A passed ball allowed Grkman to score.  After Lindsay Thomas stole second, McClaskey singled to right field, bringing home Overdiep.  Lindsay Thomas was thrown out attempting to score on the play and retired the side for the Spartans. After four innings, UNCG led 3-0.

JU took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.  With the bases loaded, Victoria Brown singled to right field and cleared the bases tying the game up at three.    After a walk and a hit batter loaded the bases, Kristin Griffith singled to right, bringing home two more Dolphins.  JU wrapped up the inning when Danielle Baker singled up the middle to put the Dolphins up 6-3.

UNCG added runs in the top of the sixth and seventh innings but were unable to regain the lead. 

Nicole Thomas suffered the loss for the Spartans, after allowing two runs, both earned.  Alicia Bazonski started the game and threw 4.1 innings, allowed five hits, three run; two earned, walked two and recorded five strike outs.  Stephanie Bryden finished the game, throwing 1.2 innings, and giving up two runs, both earned. 

 The Spartans return to action tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. as they take on Coastal Carolina at the Pruitt Softball Complex in Jacksonville. 

-UNCG-