Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Spartan softball team earned a pair of character-building wins Saturday afternoon at the Jacksonville University Invitational. UNCG defeated Kansas 6-3 in the first half of the double-header, before knocking off in-state rival and No. 23 NC State in the nightcap at Jacksonville University's Pruitt Softball Complex. NC State, fresh off a super-regional appearance in 2015, is currently ranked 23rd, while Kansas is receiving votes in both polls.
The win over the Jayhawks marks the first-ever win over Kansas, and the first win over a Big 12 opponent in UNCG softball history.
The win over NC State was the first win for UNCG over an ACC opponent since knocking off Virginia on Mar. 3rd, 2013. It was also the first victory over the Wolfpack since Mar. 25th, 2010 and the first win over a Top 25 team since knocking off then No. 23 Florida State on Feb. 11th, 2011.
The top third of the order did the bulk of the damage against the Jayhawks. Lindsay Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood), Rachael McClaskey (Pine Hill, N.J./Overbrook) and Nicole Thomas (Irvine, Calif/Northwood) combined for five hits, three RBI and three runs scored. Stephanie Bryden (Orlando, Fla./East River) continued to start her UNCG career off on the right foot, finishing 1-for-2 with two RBI. Danielle Vega (Rialto, Calif./Aquinas) also added an RBI, while Alexis Overdiep (Apex, N.C./Apex) and Emily Lopez (Charlotte, N.C./Olympic) each scored a run.
Bryden continued to be productive on the mound, throwing 6.0 innings, allowing three hits, one run (earned), while striking out four hitters against KU. Alicia Bazonski (Sheffield, Mass./Mount Everett) came in to preserve the win, tossing 1.0 inning, giving up four hits and two runs, both earned.
Against the Wolfpack, it was the top half of the order that continued to be productive. The top four spots of the order combined for 10 hits, five RBI, and seven runs scored. Lopez and Overdiep remained productive in the eight and nine holes, each recording a hit and an RBI with two and one run scored, respectively.
Danica Bishop (Irvine, Calif./Woodbridge) and Bazonski combined for the win over the Wolfpack, tossing eight innings. Bazonski started and threw 2.2 innings before being replaced by Bishop. Bishop threw 3.0 innings, allowing two hits and gave up five runs, four earned before handing the ball back to Bazonski. In total, Bazonski tossed 5.0 innings, allowed four hits, five runs, four earned and struck out three hitters.
Against Kansas, UNCG took the lead in the top of the third inning. Overdiep started the inning drawing a walk, prompting a call to the KU bullpen. Lindsay Thomas then singled through the left side to move Overdiep to third and put runners on the corners. McClaskey followed that up with a single to right field to score Overdiep and move Lindsay Thomas to third. Nicole Thomas then hit a fly ball to deep center field, allowing Lindsay Thomas to tag up and build a 2-0 lead.
The Jayhawks got a run back in the bottom of the fourth inning. Daniella Chavez connected for a home run to right field to cut the UNCG lead in half.
The Spartans battled back, tacking on three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Lopez hit a laser to right center to get the rally started. Lindsay Thomas followed with a double down the left field line. After McClaskey drew a walk to load the bases, Nicole Thomas singled through the left side to bring in Lopez. A pair of walks to Bryden and Vega allowed UNCG to take the 5-1 lead after four and a half innings.
UNCG added to its lead in the top of the seventh inning. Nicole Thomas doubled to center field to put a runner in scoring position. Gabrielle Cubbage (Felton, Del./Lake Forest) came on to pinch run and was driven home on a Bryden double to left center, giving the Spartans a 6-1 advantage.
Kansas made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring two runs and having the tying run at the plate. With two runs already in, Bazonski was able to strike out Chavez with runners on second and third to preserve the UNCG win.
UNCG used a never say die attitude to earn the victory in the nightcap against the NC State Wolfpack. The Spartans went down 4-0 after two innings with NC State taking advantage of three walks and a single to go up early.
The Spartans battled back in the bottom of the third inning. Overdiep walked to lead off the inning and scored when Lopez drilled a double down the right field line. Lindsay Thomas followed with a double, moving Lopez to third base. Two walks drove in Lopez, before a fielding error allowed Lindsay Thomas to score. Vega was able to reach on a fielder's choice, which allowed Nicole Thomas and McClaskey to score. Allison Geiner (Raleigh, N.C./Middle Creek), who was pinch running for Wright, was thrown out at third on the play, allowing Vega to take second. The Spartans scored five runs on two hits to regain a 5-4 lead.
NC State came roaring back in the top of the fifth inning. After a fielding error by UNCG, the Wolfpack took advantage of four walks to bring home the five runs and take a commanding 9-5 lead.
Cubbage got the ball rolling in the seventh inning for the Spartans. With one out, Cubbage pinch-hit for McClaskey and ran out a single to first base. Nicole Thomas cut the deficit in half, drilling her first home run of the season over the center field wall to cut the lead to 9-7. Wright kept the rally going, singling up the middle. Vega delivered a double to right field to put runners in scoring position. After a pop up, Hagan Kiser (Asheboro, N.C./Southwestern) reached via walk to set up a bases loaded situation for Overdiep. Overdiep knocked a ground ball to third and was able to leg it out for the single. The throw got away from the NC State third baseman, which allowed Rebecca Kale (Hudson, N.C./South Caldwell), who was pinch running for Vega, to score from second and tie the game up.
Using international tie-breaker rules, NC State got their go ahead run with one out. Hanna Sommer hit a hot shot that the UNCG third baseman couldn't handle and was able to bring home the runner from second.
With Lopez on second, Lindsay Thomas led off the inning with a single to right field. After a McClaskey walk, Nicole Thomas delivered a single to right center to tie the game up. Wright delivered the walk-off hit, belting a line drive over the head of the left fielder to give UNCG the lead, the game and the sweep.
The Spartans return to action on Sunday, Feb. 14th against the Kansas Jayhawks at 10:00 a.m. for the finale of the Jacksonville Invitational.
-UNCG-
