GREENSBORO, N.C. – The veteran and rookie teamed to lead the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball team to its first victory of the 2021 season.
 
Junior centerfielder Makenna Matthijs had three hits and freshman pitcher Alina Varga tossed a complete game in her first career start to help the Spartans earn a doubleheader split against Appalachian State at the UNCG Softball Stadium Sunday afternoon.
 
The Spartans rebounded from a 7-5 setback in the first game to claim a 9-5 victory in the nightcap. In winning the second game, UNCG scored three runs in the third, fourth and sixth innings to halt a brief three-game losing streak to its in-state rivals.
 
Varga controlled the circle by pitching with poise, persistence, and patience. She tossed 127 pitches and never got rattled even when the Mountaineers raced to a 2-0 lead or tied the game the at 3-3 on a first-pitch home run in the top of the fourth inning after UNCG scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning.
 
The psychology major from Boca Raton (Fla.) recorded four of her first six outs on swinging strikeouts. She enjoyed a stretch of striking in which she fanned three straight batters.
 
Varga pitched a perfect fifth inning and did her best work in the fourth inning after Appalachian State tied the contest. She pitched out of a jam by stranding two runners.
 
Meanwhile, Matthijs pounded the ball all over the field in the second game. Hitting in the leadoff position for the first time this season, Matthijs responded with two singles and a double for her 32nd career multi-hit game and the third this season.
 
Records
Appalachian State       3-3
UNCG                        1-4
 
Quotable
Varga on what worked for her against Appalachian State
"My change-up is usually my best pitch and I gave up two home runs using my change-up. I knew if I continued to trust it, that it would make an impact on what I did in the circle. I continued that trust and kept going.
 
Varga on her first collegiate start.
"I was extremely nervous. I had a pregame talk with my infielders and they told me they had my back, which I knew they did. Plus, everybody was hitting and making plays. I knew I have the best defense behind me and an amazing offense. They are awesome and I knew they were going to score runs and have my back the entire game."
 
How It Happened Game One

• Delaney Cumbie gave UNCG a 2-0 lead in the opener with a two-run double in the fourth-inning.
• Jordan Gontram hit her 27th career homer in the seventh inning with two outs that scored Melaine Darges, who pinch ran for Kayleigh Willis after she walked on four pitches.
• It was Gontram's second homer of the season.
• Morgan Scott started and finished with five strikeouts.
• Gabby Buruato had two hits and three RBIs to lead the Mountaineers, who scored all of their runs over the final three innings.
• Kayt Houston had two hits for Appalachian State.

 
How It Happened Game Two

• Blayke Batten and Brooklyn Maxwell had two hits each in the second game.
• Cumbie hit her first homer of the season, a two-run blast in the third inning that gave UNCG a 3-2 lead.
• After the Mountaineers tied the game at 3-3, UNCG scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning highlighted by Matthijs' RBI single that gave UNCG the lead for good, 4-3.
• Batten's two-run single highlighted the Spartans' three-run sixth inning.
• Matthijs and Maxwell scored two runs each for UNCG.
• Gontram walked twice.
• Houston had two hits, including a solo homer leading off the fourth inning.

 
Up Next

• UNCG will visit North Carolina A&T for a doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 26 at 12 p.m.