GREENSBORO, N.C.  – Opening their home schedule against visiting Fairfield University, UNCG baseball completed the doubleheader sweep on Saturday with back-to-back 1-0 and 6-2 wins. The Spartan pitching staff tallied its first no-hitter in program history during Game 1 on the way to a walk-off win, while the Stags were held to two just runs off eight hits in Game 2. 

The Spartans made history in their home opener on Saturday, with the combination of Jake Lewis and Austin Parsley delivering the first no-hitter in UNCG baseball history. Lewis started game one of the Spartans doubleheader with seven perfect frames, giving up his first baserunner of the afternoon to lead off the eighth. Parsley would inherit that lone runner, sitting down six straight batters to close out the top half of the eighth and ninth innings. 

"[Jake Lewis] threw great, and I thought he threw good last week," said Head Coach Billy Godwin. "... sometimes you get measured by the wins and losses, but I thought he had two really good outings for us after being out a year with Tommy John's [surgery]. He's just going to get better and stronger as we go."

With the Spartans stranding seven runners on six hits through the opening eight frames, senior Jacquez Koonce led off the bottom half of the ninth with a single in what remained a scoreless contest. The center fielder reached second on a stolen base, before moving to third on a bunt single from Ryan Caveness. With no outs in the ninth, freshman right fielder Pres Cavenaugh delivered a single through the right side for his third RBI of the campaign, giving the Spartans the 1-0 walk-off win to start the day. 

UNCG jumped to an early lead in the second contest of its doubleheader, hanging three runs in the first three innings against the Stags. After a Josh Madole walk, Caleb Webster delivered his second home run of the year, sending a two-run shot to left field in the first. With Zack Budzik getting on base for the third time on Saturday, the sophomore came home two ABs later on an RBI knock from Greg Hardison. The Spartan outfielder pieced a line drive single to center, but a good jump from Budzik and some impressive speed on the basepaths put the contest at 3-0 in favor of the home team in the third. 

The Spartans would see their lead cut to a single run after a two-run shot from the Stags in the sixth, but the Spartans would respond with a run of their own in the bottom half, on a bases loaded wild pitch. The side would add another two runs in the bottom of the eighth, thanks to a two-run triple from Sam Koruschak, before Alex Hoppe came out to finish off the ninth and secure the 6-2 win. 

UNCG moves to 4-1 start is its best in the past four years, with their lone loss coming in a road game against Coastal Carolina to open the season.

When the Spartans Win, You Win!  Stop by Bites and Pints Gastro Pub on Spring Garden Street and mention the Spartans win for 50% off an appetizer of your choice. Offer only lasts for 24 hours after the game.

Things To Know
-- Greg Hardison has started the season on a five-game hitting streak, and went 3-for-8 with an RBI over his two appearances against Fairfield

-- The Spartan pitching staff held the Stags to a .133 batting average over the course of the day while combining for 16 strikeouts. Austin Koehn's six Ks to start game two tied the sophomore's career-high

-- With 7.0 innings of work, Jake Lewis' outing was the longest of his career, as he's now averaging a team best .45 WHIP on the season

-- Zack Budzik ranked 10th in the nation with four steals coming into the weekend. He now has six after Saturday's doubleheader, and is yet to be thrown out this season

Coming Up Next
The Spartans look to complete the series sweep on Sunday, hosting the Stags for game three at 12 p.m. at UNCG Baseball Stadium.

-- UNCG –