JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Freshman Stephanie Bryden (Orlando, Fla./East River) shined in her first-career start for UNCG softball on Friday afternoon in Jacksonville.  The UNCG offense scored early and often as they handily defeated the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 16-1 in five innings at Jacksonville University's Pruitt Softball complex.  UNCG improves to 1-1 on the season, while the Chanticleers fall to 0-2.

Bryden started on the mound for the Spartans and pitched a complete game.  She also hit sixth in the lineup, where she did plenty of damage.  Bryden finished the day 3-for-4 with five RBI, two runs scored and a home run.  The home run was a grand slam in the first inning, and is the first home run of her collegiate career. 

Along with Bryden's three hit performance, Lindsay Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood) and Nicole Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood) each added a pair of hits.  Nicole Thomas drove in three runs and scored two more, while Lindsay Thomas drove in one run and scored twice.  Danielle Vega (Rialto, Calif./Aquinas) also added multiple RBI, driving in two.  Emily Lopez (Charlotte, N.C./Olympic) and Kendall McKinney (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) each drove in a run and scored once. Alexis Overdiep (Apex, N.C./Apex) also scored a run and UNCG combined for 10 hits, and drew 11 walks in the game.

Bryden also shined in the circle in her first career start.  She logged 5.0 innings, allowing four hits, and none until the bottom of the fourth inning.  Bryden finished allowing one run (earned), walked one and struck out four Chanticleers. 

The Spartans took a four-run lead in the top of the first inning and never looked back.  After back-to-back strike outs to start the game, three-straight walks loaded the bases for Bryden. Bryden hit her first collegiate home run to clear the bases and give UNCG the early lead.

UNCG continued to score in the bottom of the second inning, plating six runs.  Lopez led off the inning with a single followed by an Overdiep walk and Lindsay Thomas being hit by a pitch.  McClaskey drew the bases loaded walk to bring in Lopez.  Nicole Thomas followed with a single to second base to bring in Overdiep and Lindsay Thomas.  After a walk to Wright, Vega singled up the middle to bring home McClaskey.  McKinney then walked to bring in Wright.  Lopez got another at bat where she hit into a fielder's choice to bring home Allison Geiner (Raleigh, N.C./Middle Creek)who was pinch running for Vega.

The Spartans weren't finished at the plate yet.  UNCG added six more runs in the top of the third inning. Lindsay Thomas got the rally started, singling to shortstop.  After moving to third on wild pitches, Nicole Thomas singled to bring home Lindsay Thomas.  Tory Wright (Potomac Falls, Va./Dominion) walked to load the bases, and Vega ground out to second to bring home McClaskey, who had reached via walk.  Bryden again delivered, singling to bring home Wright.  Overdiep drew a walk and Lindsay Thomas stayed hot, belting a single to bring home McKinney and Bryden and put the Spartans up 16-0. When the dust settled, the Spartans had scored six runs on four hits. 

Coastal Carolina added a run in the bottom of the fourth inning but managed only four hits against Bryden. 

The Spartans return to action tomorrow for a double header against Kansas at 12:30 p.m., and NC State immediately following the conclusion of the game with Kansas. 

-UNCG-