COLUMBIA, S.C. - The UNCG softball team (1-2) dropped their two-game slate, Sunday afternoon at the Carolina Classic in Columbia, S.C. The Spartans opened up with a SoCon-Big10 clash against Ohio State. Following a 5-4,10-inning loss to the Buckeyes, UNCG tested the Gamecocks with good control from the pitching circle and solid defense in all areas. A line drive off the right field wall drove in the winning run for South Carolina and the #19 ranked team in the nation prevailed, 3-2.
"I thought we did a great job attacking the strike zone early from the circle," said head coach
Janelle Breneman. "Our pitchers did a nice job working ahead and making good pitches in some big situations. We faced two really tough offensive lineups today. I'm extremely pleased with our pitching staff and what they showed this weekend. Defensively, I think we have to clean up a few things, but overall I loved our toughness and the way we defended for our pitchers. That's what gave them the confidence to attack the strike zone."
GAME 1 - vs. Ohio State
Ohio State opened up the game with three runs on four hits to set the tone. They would load the bases to put the pressure on freshman right-hander,
Morgan Scott. Making back-to-back appearances, Scott forced a ground ball to get out of the jam. Facing an early deficit, the Spartans kept their composure, stayed patient at the plate and drew six walks to bring in three runs to start the second inning.
In the seventh, the Buckeyes got runners on the corners, as Taylor Pack (3-for-5, 2 RBI) stepped up with a chance to win it. A meeting in the infield gave UNCG a chance to settle down and get on the same page. A hard grounder from Pack is what the Spartans needed and they escaped the inning.
As the game extended into the 10th, the international tiebreaker was in effect. Per rule, the Spartans placed
Maycin Brown as a runner at second base to start the inning. The bottom of the order was effective all afternoon, with
Katie Stettler hustling for an infield single to put Brown in scoring position.
Blayke Batten, making her first collegiate start (designated player), sent a pop fly to to right field that was muffed by the defender and Brown crossed the plate to give the G a 4-3 lead. Ohio State loaded the bases in the bottom half and followed up with a squeeze bunt to knot it up at four. A sacrifice fly to deep left center drove in the winning run for the Buckeyes.
GAME 2 - vs. #19 South Carolina
The squads traded off solo home runs early on, with UNCG's
Hannah Kincer and South Carolina's Kassidy Krupit each going deep to keep the teams tied at two through four innings.
Kylie Bouplon got the starting nod for the Spartans once again in the circle, while freshman
Alex Rodriguez made her collegiate debut. The Winston-Salem, N.C. native threw 3.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three. She showed the kind of energy and poise that depicts a pitcher who is ready whenever her number is called.
"I thought Alex was prepared and more than ready for her opportunity today," Breneman stated. "She's one of our hardest workers. She did a wonderful job keeping them off balanced, and threw some remarkable changeups. Giving up just three hits in four innings to that Gamecocks team is a great accomplishment. Being ready whenever your number is called is what it's all about and she did that for us."
Battling the emotions from the game earlier in the day, the Spartans turned the page quickly to their matchup with a Gamecocks club that is likely to contend for an SEC championship in 2020. Four players for South Carolina collected two hits and pitcher Kelsey Oh took matters into her own hands, tossing four scoreless innings allowing one hit and striking out eight.
The depth for UNCG was tested, as RJr.
Jordan Gontram went down late in the game against the Buckeyes.
Makenna Matthijs made the shift to center field, giving Kincer an opportunity to get the nod in left field.
"Hannah (Kincer) had a great game," Breneman added. "She made some nice plays out there in left, and she has the ability to be a starter. She put a sweet swing on the ball and I'm pleased with how she stepped up with us being down an outfielder."
The game quickly became a battle of who could play mistake free and capitalize on a single missed pitch location by the opponent. In a battle where neither team hit more than four extra base hits (SC 4, UNCG 1), the margin of error was slim. Overall, UNCG managed to match their opponents run total, 11-11, over the weekend.
"That Ohio State game was tight and could have gone either way," Breneman added. "You've got to regroup and be ready to compete. I thought we did a great job at that. We were ready to go from the first pitch against South Carolina. There wasn't an inning or pitch that we took off, and that's the makings of a really strong team."
COMING UP
The Spartans look ahead to another early season tournament. They'll head to Rock Hill, S.C. for the 2020 Winthrop Softball Tournament. Opposing teams include: Virginia, Boston University, Holy Cross, Towson and Eastern Kentucky. First pitch vs. the Virginia Cavaliers is set for Friday, February 14 at 12:30 p.m.
