GREENSBORO, N.C

Kendall McKinney (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) recorded the first multi-home run game of her career with solo shots in both the second and sixth inning moving her into second on the team in homers this season with nine.

Furman jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning scoring three runs on three hits. McKinney's first of two home runs put UNCG on the board in the bottom of the second inning but Furman added a run a frame later to once again push its lead to three runs and scored one more in the fourth inning for a 5-1 lead.

The Paladins put two more runs on the board in the top of the fifth inning chasing starting pitcher Alicia Bazonski (Sheffiled, Mass./Mount Everett) after allowing seven runs, six earned, on 11 hits through four and two-thirds innings. After striking out the first two batters in the inning, Bazonski left the game in a two-on, two-out situation. Danica Bishop (Irvine, Calif./Nebraska) came in to relieve her and after walking the first batter she faced, was able to escape a bases loaded jam with a groundout.

McKinney hit her second long ball of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning accounting for UNCG's only two runs as they trailed Furman 7-2 with one inning to play.?

Stephanie Bryden (Orlando, Fla./East River) came in to pitch and closed out the top of the seventh with a strikeout. After allowing a lead off single down the left field line, Bryden got Emma Ogburn to ground into a 5-4-3 double play beautifully executed by Danielle Vega (Rialto, Calif./Aquinas), Hagan Kiser (Asheboro, N.C./Southwestern) and Marisa Sholtes (Albany, N.Y./South Colonie Central) for the first two outs.

UNCG found itself, once again down to its final three outs in a multi-run deficit. With hopes of a walk-off after just falling short in a come-from-behind seventh inning a day before, Lacey Leary (Norwood, N.C./Spartanburg Methodist) dug in to lead off for the Spartans in the bottom of the seventh.

Leary struck out swinging but Allison Geiner (Raleigh, N.C./Middle Creek) hit a bunt single down the third base line to put the Spartans first runner on. Lindsay Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood) doubled to left center putting runners in scoring position for Rachael McClaskey (Pine Hill, N.J./Overbrook) drove in one run with an RBI single to right center.

Elise Smith then came in to pitch for Furman but Nicole Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood) doubled to right center scoring her sister who did the same earlier in the inning.

Vega singled through the right side for another Spartan run, sending Elise Smith back to the dugout as Lindsey Bert returned for Furman. Bert got into a heated battle with Bryden who pinch hit for UNCG but after fouling off four-straight pitches the Spartans were handed their second out when a called strike three ended Bryden's at bat.

The Paladins intentionally walked McKinney to load the bases and face Kiser who was hitless thus far. Kiser worked a 2-2 count but flew out to right field to end the game.

UNCG doubled its total hits in the bottom of the seventh but their rally came up shot as they left the tying run at second.

Bazonski was handed the loss, her sixth of the season as she is now 15-6 overall. Bert earned the win on the mound for Furman tossing seven games allowing five runs on eight hits.

McClaskey and Vega went two-for-four with an RBI while McKinney went two-for-three with two home runs and a walk.

Geiner also had a big day for the Spartans going two-for-two with one run scored.

The Spartans return to action Wednesday, April 20, when they host NC State on the American Sports Network at 5 p.m. The two met earlier in the season at the River City Leadoff in Jacksonville, Fla., February 13. The Spartans had a come-from-behind walk-off win over the then No. 23 Wolfpack, 11-10, in eight innings.

-UNCG-