UNCG Softball Run Rules Gardner-Webb & Army on Saturday
GREENSBORO, N.C.– The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball team defeated Gardner-Webb, 14-4, and Army West Point, 9-0, on Saturday at UNCG Softball Stadium. Both games ended in five innings.
The Spartans have now won eight games with the run rule in effect. UNCG’s 14 runs versus Gardner-Webb was the most this season and most since a 19-1 victory over Mercer on March 27, 2022. The Spartans’ 12 hits are a season-high and fifth game with double figured hits.
UNCG had five home runs against the Runnin’ Bulldogs, which is the most this season. The five homers are the most since the Spartans had eight in the 19-1 win against Mercer.
Sophomore Jessie Shipley had three of the Spartans’ five homers against Gardner-Webb. She had two solo home runs and a grand slam. This is the first time a Spartan hit three homers in a game since March 27, 2022, when classmate Grace Loftin hit three (solo, two-run, & three-run). This was the fifth time in program history that a Spartan has hit three home runs in a game (Karyn Thompson vs. NC A&T – 4/5/95, Kelly Allen vs. NC A&T – 4/22/05, Nicole Thomas vs. Gardner-Webb – 3/11/14, and Loftin vs. Mercer – 3/27/22).
The 9-0 win was the fifth shutout this season.
The Spartans improve to 17-12 overall.
GAME 1: UNCG 14 – GARDNER-WEBB 4 (5 inn.)
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNCG came from behind to cut the deficit to one in the bottom of the second after Gardner-Webb scored two runs in the top of the first on from RBI singles. The Spartans’ run in the bottom of the second came from Jaden Cheek’s RBI single to left field, 2-1.
Dreher crushed a solo home run in the top of the third on a full count for a 3-1 advantage, before UNCG responded with five runs on four hits in the bottom of the frame. Shipley hit a solo homer, Loftin crushed a two-run blast, and Cheek sent a two-run homer to left field in the third.
Andrea Lyon hit a two-out RBI single to score one more run for the Runnin’ Bulldogs in the top of the fourth cutting the deficit to two, 6-4.
UNCG then utilized an eight-run fifth inning to secure the win, 14-4. Shipley led off the inning with a solo home run to center field that cleared the Spartan statue on a full count. She eventually walked off the game with a grand slam to left field. Loftin had an RBI single, Delaney Cumbie hit a RBI double, and Chartrand had a RBI single to add to the success of that inning.
Maddie Spell and Salem Ward combined for eight strikeouts.
NOTES:
Four Spartans had multi-hit games.
Shipley went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and six RBI.
Maxwell went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and a stolen base.
Loftin went 2-for-3 with one run scored and three RBI.
Cheek went 2-for-3 with one run scored and three RBI.
PITCHING RECORDS
Maddie Spell: W, 4-4
Salem Ward: Save, 1
Andrea Lyon: L, 3-9
GAME 2: UNCG 9 – Army 0 (5 inn.)
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNCG had a six-run first inning on three hits and one error. Samantha Lagrama walked with the bases loaded for the first run and Shipley reached on a fielder’s choice to score Maxwell from third. Loftin and Blayke Batten doubled with one out, each driving in two runs for a 6-0 advantage.
Both teams were scoreless in the second and third innings, as the Spartans added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth. With the bases loaded, Tori Dalehite scored on a wild pitch and then Maxwell drove in Rylie Williams and Shipley on an RBI single to center field.
Rhyann Jones tossed her third complete game, giving up just three hits with one strikeout that came in the top of the fifth.
NOTES:
Chartrand went 2-for-2.
Batten also went 2-for-2 with two RBI and a double.
PITCHING RECORDS
Rhyann Jones: W, 6-1
Amanda Eaglin: L, 1-4
ON DECK
The Spartans conclude their Spartan Classic Army West Point tomorrow, Sunday, March 19 with a first pitch slated for 2:30 p.m. Tomorrow’s schedule was moved back one hour due to the forecasted weather.
Stay up to date with the latest changes to the tournament schedule here: https://uncgspartans.com/sports/2023/1/26/211786274.aspx
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro