GREENSBORO, N.C. - The UNCG softball team (4-4) prepares for the home opener, tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. vs. the Clemson Tigers (7-4). The Spartans make their 2020 home debut following an eight-game stretch of neutral-site matchups, competing in two tournaments in South Carolina.
Who: Clemson
Where: Greensboro, N.C. | UNCG Softball Stadium
When: February 18 | 3:30 p.m.
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LAST TIME OUT
The Spartans recently participated in the Winthrop Softball Tournament, last weekend in Rock Hill, S.C. The G kicked their five-game slate with wins vs Virgina (2-0) and Eastern Kentuck (8-3). Against Virginia, it was all about the pitching staff.
Morgan Scott set the tone for UNCG with her first career complete-game shutout, going the distance against the Cavaliers. The freshman hurler is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with early in the season.
Following losses to Boston University (0-8) and Towson (0-7), the Spartans bounced back in a big way on Sunday to close out the tournament. Makenna Mathhijs (3-4, 2B) and
Delaney Cumbie (3-4, 2 HR, 7 RBI) led the charge at the top of the lineup, willing the team to an 11-7 victroy over Holy Cross. Second baseman
Jasmine Palmer continued to see the ball extremely well, knocking an RBI single to help the cause for UNCG. The redshirt senior is proving to be a tough out for opposing pitchers, as she has only struck out once this season.
AROUND THE HORN
-- Through a couple weeks of play, UNCG is best among conference opponents in strikeouts (49) and earned-run-average (3.75)
-- RHP Scott is mowing down hitters at a rapid pace thus far for the G. She leads all SoCon pitchers with 36 strikeouts and is tied for the most wins with three
-- Cumbie leads the team with a .346 batting average and a slugging percentage of .654
-- Matthijs is making it count in the leadoff spot. The junior outfielder is currently riding a team-high three-game hitting streak
-- UNCG is a perfect 4-0 when leading after six innings
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
-- The ACC-foe, Clemson softball kicks off their inaugural season in 2020; The Tigers won their inaugural game 6-2 over St. John's Friday morning at UCF's Black & Gold tournament in Orlando, Florida
-- In their home opener, freshman RHP Logan Caymol threw a no-hitter against Western Carolina to lead Clemson to their first home win in program history
-- The Tigers haven't had much trouble finding supreme talent in year one. The tandem of Valerie Cagle (5 HR, 14 RBI) and Marissa Guimbarda (5 HR, 15 RBI) have impressed early this season, with Caymol solidifying her spot atop the rotation and registering 38 strikeouts.
COMING UP
Following the home opener, the Spartans face a quick turnaround. They'll welcome in the trio of Fairfield, Purdue and North Carolina for the annual UNCG Invitational. Competition runs from Friday, February 21 - Sunday, February 23. First pitch vs. Fairfield is set for Friday at 5 p.m.
