GREENSBORO -- Jordan Gontram and
Kayleigh Willis both hit two-run home runs, and right-hander
Morgan Scott pitched her 11th complete game of the season, leading UNCG to a 10-3 victory over Longwood on Saturday in the final game of a weekend series at UNCG Softball Stadium.
Scott, a sophomore from Irmo, S.C., allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks, striking out seven as UNCG (18-13 overall, 3-3 Southern Conference) snapped a three-game losing skid. Scott improved to 9-6 with a 3.18 ERA this season, and she increased her SoCon-leading strikeout total to 124 in 99 innings.
Longwood (17-19, 6-3 Big South) scored twice in the first inning before Scott settled in and retired the next 11 in a row.
That was more than enough for UNCG's offense.
Senior third baseman
Melanie Darges, the ninth hitter in the Spartans lineup, went 3-for-3 and her RBI triple to center field tied the score 2-2 in the second inning. Darges scored the go-ahead run on
Makenna Matthijs' RBI single up the middle.
UNCG padded its lead in the third inning on Gontram's towering two-run homer over the fence in left-center. It was Gontram's SoCon-leading ninth home run of the season.
The Spartans pushed their lead to 8-2 with a strange play in the fourth inning, when two runs scored on
Delaney Cumbie's sacrifice bunt. Cumbie laid down the bunt with runners at first and second.
Blayke Batten got a great jump off second base and never stopped, rounding third and scoring on a high throw from the first baseman. Pinch runner
Katie Stettler took third on the play, and she scored easily when the throw from the catcher sailed into left field.
Willis added her two-run shot in the sixth inning, a line drive over the UNCG logo in straightaway center field.
Longwood starter Leigha Hill (2-6) took the loss, surrendering three earned runs in just 1.1 innings pitched. The Lancers' offense had just three base runners after the first inning.
UNCG will host Charlotte in a non-conference game at 5 p.m. Wednesday, then plays a key SoCon weekend series at Chattanooga.
