Complete games from Simmons and Engel, combined with a walk-off by Ray propel Pride to Sunday Sweep over Roanoke
Greensboro, NC – Rain moved this weekend’s Saturday doubleheader to Sunday but that did not stop the Greensboro College Softball team from continuing to find a way to put victories in the win column. Behind two completes games from pitchers Senior Kassie Simmons (Gibsonville, NC) and Junior Lauren Engel (Huntersville, NC) and a walk off single by Junior Ivy Ray (Thomasville, NC), the Pride came away with the two game sweep over Roanoke College, 2-1 and 2-0.
Game One
Simmons had command of her pitches, but in the fifth inning, the Maroons would strike first to take the lead, 1-0. However, in the sixth inning, Simmons came to the plate and hit an RBI single, driving in Sophomore M’Kenzie Davis (Greensboro, NC) to tie the game. Simmons continued to dominate the batters to force extra innings and in the ninth inning, with the bases loaded, Ray smacked an RBI single to left field for the walk-off win, 2-1.
Greensboro was led by Davis who finished 1-2 with an RBI, double and a run, while Simmons earned the win, striking out two and only allowing one run.
Game Two
Engel took the mound in the Sunday nightcap and picked up where Simmons left off, shutting down the Roanoke hitters, inning after inning. Senior Hannah French (Reidsville, NC) gave Engel some insurance in the fifth inning, when she cleared the bases on an RBI double, scoring Junior Alexis Sox (Burlington, NC) and Simmons, to take the Pride’s first lead of the game 2-0. That is all they would need as Engel finished the complete game for Greensboro’s 16th win of the season.
Sox led the Pride finishing 1-3 with a run, while French added two RBI’s. Engel earned the win by striking out three batters and only giving up two runs.
Greensboro will return to action on Tuesday, March 28th as they host Mary Baldwin University for a doubleheader at Barber Park for the USA South Conference opener. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00pm.