FORT MYERS, FLA. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball opened the season with a 6-2 win over LIU and an 8-0, five-inning victory over Binghamton on Friday morning at FGCU Softball Complex.
With the win over the Sharks, this marks the first season opening victory since the 2020 season.
GAME 1: UNCG 6 – LIU 2
HOW IT HAPPENED:
LIU took an early 2-0 lead behind an RBI single from Alyssa Okada and a walk to bring in a run from Alexia Castro in the top of the first.
The Spartans cut the deficit to one in the top of the frame with
Delaney Cumbie leading off with a single and
Maycin Brown tripling down the right field line, 2-1.
UNCG's offense continued in the bottom of the second, as
Grace Loftin led off with a double. With the bases loaded, Cumbie walked to bring home Loftin tying the game at two. After a pitching change,
Brooklynn Maxwell scored on a wild pitch, for the lead, 3-2.
Blayke Batten connected on a 1-2 count, driving the ball out to left field for a RBI single and 4-2 advantage.
In the top of the third,
Rhyann Jones continued her streak, retiring five-straight, before the Spartans extended their lead to four, 6-2, with a triple from
Ashley Gontram scoring Maxwell and
Rylie Williams in the bottom of the frame.
NOTES
PITCHING RECORDS:
Rhyann Jones: W, 1-0
Lindsey Cowans: L, 0-1
GAME 2: UNCG 8 – Binghamton 0 (5 innings)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
UNCG put up four runs in the top of the first and second innings to claim its first run-rule victory of the season.
The Spartans loaded the bases in the top of the first and
Samantha Lagrama drove in two runs with a single and an error. With two outs,
Anna White singled to left center to bring home Lagrama and Batten for a 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the first, Cumbie threw out a runner at second for the second out of the inning, before
Jorde Chartrand retired the side with a ground out.
After Cumbie walked in the top of the second, on a 1-1 count Brown crushed a ball over the right center fence for the first home run of the season for the Spartans, 6-0. Again with two outs, Maxwell singled through the right side bringing in
Jessie Shipley and
Rylie Williams, extending the lead to eight. The Spartans fended off the Bearcats, allowing just four hits and leaving four on base.
NOTES
- Jorde Chartrand earned her first win as a Spartan in the circle, striking out seven batters.
- Maxwell went 2-for-2 at the plate with 2 RBI.
- Anna White, Samantha Lagrama, and Maycin Brown also had two RBI each.
- Brown crushed the first home run of the season, a two run shot.
PITCHING RECORDS:
Jorde Chartrand: W, 1-0
Allison L'Amoreaux: L, 0-1
ON DECK
The Spartans return to the FGCU Softball Complex tomorrow, Saturday, February 11 with another doubleheader. They first play host FGCU at 5 PM, followed by Southern Illinois at 7:30 PM.
