GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball team split a doubleheader with Michigan State Thursday at the UNCG Softball Stadium.
UNCG won 6-2 and then fell 7-2.
UNCG is now 4-2 against Big Ten opponents this season, taking two against Penn State, one versus Maryland, and now one against Michigan State.
UNCG leads the series 3-1 against Michigan State.
GAME 1: UNCG 6 – Michigan State 2
RECORDS
UNCG: 13-7
Michigan State: 11-10
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Delaney Cumbie led the bottom of the first off with a single to left field and Brooklynn Maxwell moved her over on bunt.
- With one out Blayke Batten walked to load the bases and Grace Loftin sent out a long ball to left field for a 4-0 lead.
- Michigan State saw its second-straight inning with runners on base, and it put up its first run in the top of the fifth on an Alexis Barraoso home run to left center.
- Kayleigh Roper then reached on a throwing error and Courtney Callahan doubled to left center to cut the deficit to 4-2.
- Makenna Matthijs singled up the middle to start the bottom of the sixth and with two outs Jordan Gontram sent one far over the left field wall to extend UNCG's lead to 6-2.
NOTES
- Loftin sent out her second-career grand slam.
- This was the third grand slam of the Spartan's season.
- Loftin recorded her fourth home run of the season.
- Gontram tallied her fourth home run of the season.
- This was the 11th game with multiple home runs.
- UNCG has now hit at least one home run in 17 of the 20 games played.
PITCHING RECORDS
Morgan Scott: W, 8-4
Sarah Ladd: L, 5-3
GAME 2: Michigan State 7 - UNCG 2
RECORDS
UNCG: 13-8
Michigan State: 12-10
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Michigan State broke open the game in the top of the third with six runs on five hits.
- Jess Mabrey homered to left field with one out.
- After back-to-back singles, Caitie Ladd stole second and Courtney Callahan scored on the throw for a 2-0 lead.
- With two outs, Barroso sent a RBI single through the left side to bring home Caitie Ladd and Zaquai Dumas followed with a three-run homer to left field extending the lead to six.
- Mackenzie Meech doubled to right center to lead off the top of the fifth and Alexis Barroso singled scoring Meech for a 7-0 advantage.
- UNCG tallied at least one hit in each inning and the Spartans cut the deficit to six in the bottom of the sixth, as Hannah Kincer reached on a fielder's choice and Maycin Brown scored on a throwing error.
- In the bottom of the seventh, UNCG saw Delaney Cumbie double to right center off the wall and advanced on a fly ball from Maxwell.
- Makenna Matthijs grounded out to second, scoring Cumbie to cut the deficit to 7-2.
- Michigan State retired the inning with a ground out to the pitcher to hold on for the win.
NOTES
- UNCG tallied nine hits.
- Maxwell went 3-for-4.
- Three from UNCG recorded two hits, including Cumbie, Jordan Gontram, and Brown.
- Cumbie tallied her second double of the season.
- Michigan State's Miller struck out nine in the circle.
PITCHING RECORDS
Reese Byrd: L, 3-3
Ashley Miller: W, 6-5
ON DECK
UNCG continues its six-game homestand as the Spartans host Saint Francis (Pa.) tomorrow, Friday, March 11 with a first pitch scheduled for 5:45 p.m.
