ELON, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball fell to Piedmont Triad foe Elon, 8-4, and then defeated Sacred Heart, 6-2, on Saturday at Hunt Softball Park.
With the win over the Pioneers, the Spartans improve to 13-4 overall.
GAME 1: Elon 8 – UNCG 4
- The Spartans scored first when Grace Loftin doubled down the left field line to bring in Samantha Beck for the 1-0 lead in the first.
- The Phoenix took the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third with an RBI single to right center before a sacrifice fly gave Elon the edge.
- With bases loaded, Macy Michael reached first base on a fielder's choice which gave Jessie Shipley time to score, tying the game 2-2 in the top of the sixth.
- Elon broke open the game with six runs in the bottom of the sixth on three hits and two errors, to take an 8-2 lead over the Spartans.
- In the seventh, UNCG looked to fight back and cut the deficit to four, 8-4, when Loftin tripled to right center to bring home Kaylyn Belfield.
- Jorde Chartrand later doubled to center field scoring Loftin, but Elon hung on for the 8-4 win.
- Meredith Harwood and Loftin led the team with two hits apiece.
- Loftin led the Spartans with two RBI.
PITCHING RECORD
Salem Ward: L, 7-2
Lia Miller: W, 3-0
GAME 2: UNCG 6 – Sacred Heart 2
- The Pioneers scored first on a ground out to second with bases loaded giving them a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
- UNCG tied things up, 1-1, in the top of the second when Hadley Gardner doubled to left center on a 1-0 count, scoring Michael.
- The Pioneers regained a 2-1 lead in the fourth on three hits and one error.
- UNCG recorded three runs in the top of the fifth to take a 4-2 lead and hold the advantage the rest of the game.
- Chartrand doubled up the middle, bringing in Beck and Belfield, 3-2.
- Harwood then singled down the left field line to score Chartand for the 4-2 lead.
- In the seventh, Loftin launched a homer to left field for two RBI, granting the Spartans the 6-2 win after Salem Ward retired the side in the bottom of the seventh, striking out two of the three batters.
- Four Spartans tallied two hits, including Beck, Loftin, Chartrand and Gardner.
- Loftin and Chartrand had two RBI each.
- Loftin crushed her fifth homer of the season and 34th of her career.
PITCHING RECORD
Reese Byrd: W, 4-0
Salem Ward: S, 1
Emily Heath: L, 0-2
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The Spartans will host the two teams on Sunday, March 2 with Sacred Heart first at 1:30 p.m. and then Elon at 4:00 p.m. at the UNCG Softball Stadium.
Sacred Heart and Elon will play in a neutral game at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday prior to UNCG's games.