GREENSBORO, N.C. - Coming off a huge midweek win over ACC-foe Clemson, the Spartans softball team (5-4) is ready to host the UNCG Invitational this weekend at the UNCG Sofbtall Stadium. Joining the competition will be the Purdue Boilermakers, North Carolina Tar Heels and Fairfield Stags. The tournament will span from Friday, February 21 to Sunday, February 23.
First up for UNCG is a 5:00 p.m. matchup, tomorrow night vs. Fairfield. Saturday afternoon is packed for the Spartans, with a 2:30 p.m. showdown with Purdue, followed by round two against the Fairfield Stags at 5:00 p.m.
The Spartans wrap up the invitational on Sunday with a 1:30 p.m. battle against North Carolina.
LAST TIME OUT
The Spartans played host the the Clemson Tigers (7-5) on Tuesday, February 18 for their 2020 home opener. A two-run home run from
Kayleigh Willis got UNCG on the board first.
Delaney Cumbie came up in the bottom of the fifth with
Makenna Matthijs on first. The sophomore standout lined an RBI double to right center, driving in Matthijs to score the eventual winning run (3-2). Freshman pitcher,
Morgan Scott continued her strong start to her rookie season, going wire-to-wire against a Tigers lineup that has made a strong impression with 75 total runs scored (11th in Division I) early in their inaugural season.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
-- Scott ranks T-24th in the nation with 42 strikeouts (2nd among freshmen)
-- The Spartans are 2-0 since second baseman
Jasmine Palmer moved into the three spot in the batting order; the redshirt senior has reached base in three-straight contests
-- Cumbie leads the way, batting .345 with a team-high 10 hits
-- Matthijs and Cumbie are on fire as of late, riding four and three-game hitting streaks, respectively
CLOSER LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS
ALL-TIME SERIES: 1-1
The Boilermakers are off to a strong 8-3 start this season. Yet to play a contest on their home field, they've managed to go 2-0 in road matchups and 6-3 in neutral site games. Purdue is led by junior outfielder Skye Webb (.333, 14 RBI) and freshman utility player, Cora Bassett (.297, 5 RBI). In the Circle, Sydney Bates holds an earned run average of 1.50 with 39 strikeouts. Senior outfielder Madison Douglas is hot as of late, leading the Boilermakers with two home runs last weekend at the Spring Games in Clermont, Fla.
The series between the two squads dates back to the 1994 regular season. The Spartans took on Purdue on March 5, 1994 at the East Carolina Tournament and earned a 6-4 win. The sides didn't meet again until the 2001 regular season. The Boilermakers shutout UNCG, 3-0, on February 17, 2001.
FAIRFIELD STAGS
ALL-TIME SERIES: 3-2
Fairfield softball kicks off thier 2020 regular season here in Greensboro. Following a 26-24 finish in 2019, the Stags are led by senior outfielder, Amanda Ulzheimer. In 2019, Ulzheimer led the way with a .395 batting average, 58 hits, and second on the team with 29 runs scored.
Their 2019 season came to an end in the MAAC tournament with losses to Sienna and NIagara in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
UNCG and Fairfield faced off last season at the Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill. The Spartans cruised past the stags, 9-1, thanks to a pair of two-run home runs for Jasmine Palmer (3-4, 4 RBI, 3 R). Former UNCG pitcher, Stephanie Bryden tossed six innings, allowing one hit, one run and strking out 11.
NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
ALL-TIME SERIES: 10-49
North Carolina (6-6) have been tested right out the gate in 2020, participating in six games against top-25 opponents. The Tar Heels opened up at the Florida State Tournament, coming away with a two-game split with No. 2 Alabama and two wins vs. Detroit Mercy. At the ACC/Big Ten Challange, the Tar Heels dropped a pair to No. 11 Michigan, but salvaged one game with a win against the Wisconsin badgers. In their most recent contest, the Tar Heels fell at home to No. 21 James Madison, 3-6. On offense, Carolina is led by the duo of Krisitna Burkhardt (.343, 2 HR, 9 RBI) and Megan Dray (.333, 11 H, 6 RBI). In the circle, the Teels are led by Hannah George (5-2), with a 3.31 earned-run-average and 30 strikeouts. North Carolina defeated UNCG last season, 6-2, on April 24th in Greensboro. The Spartans topped the Tar Heels, 4-3 in 10 innings on April 4, 2018. In that game, Jordan Gontram knocked a clutch two-run home run in the fourth. Bryden came through with a game-winning RBI single in the 10th to clinch the road win.
