UNCG Softball Sweeps Mercer in Doubleheader
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball team swept The Southern Conference (SoCon) foe Mercer on Saturday in a doubleheader with scores of 7-5 and 7-4 at the UNCG Softball Stadium.
Game 1: UNCG 7 – Mercer 5
Both teams remained scoreless through the top of the fourth. UNCG then capitalized on four hits in the bottom of the frame to put up five runs.
Grace Loftin started a one-out rally in the inning with a single up the middle. With two outs and two runners on, Maycin Brown singled to center field to drive in Loftin, 1-0. Blayke Batten then took a 2-0 count smashing a double off the left center wall for a 3-0 advantage. Anna White followed and connected on the first pitch for a two-run home run extending the lead to 5-0.
Attached photo of Blayke Batten (credit Carlos Morales)
Mercer responded with a solo home run from Avery Barton in the top of the fifth, cutting the deficit to four, 5-1.
The Spartans continued their offensive attack in the bottom of the fifth, as Loftin once again began a one-out rally with a single. Jorde Chartrand followed with a double to left center and Jaden Cheek matched with her own double to score Rylie Williams and Loftin, 7-1.
The Bears fought back with four runs on four hits and one error in the top of the sixth, 7-5. In the circle, Maddie Spell retired three of the four batters in the top of the seventh to secure the win. She totaled a season-best nine strikeouts in her ninth victory of the season.
PITCHING RECORDS
Maddie Spell: 9-7
Grace Taylor: 10-11
Game 2: UNCG 7 – Mercer 5
The Spartans kicked off game two of the day with a 3-0 advantage as Betsy Eatmon roped a ball over the center field wall for her fifth blast of the season. She drove in Jessie Shipley and Brooklynn Maxwell for the three-run homer.
Following a scoreless second inning, Mercer cut the deficit to one, 3-2, on Hedgecock’s two-run home run to left center. Brooklynn Maxwell led off the bottom of the third with a solo shot to straight away center, 4-2.
In the circle, Rhyann Jones allowed one hit from the Bears in the top of the fourth before Batten extended the Spartans’ lead to four, 6-2, on a two-run home run, her first of the season.
In the top of the fifth, Mercer once again chipped away at the deficit scoring two runs on four hits, 6-4. Salem Ward, in relief, retired the side with a fly out to left field as the Bears left the bases loaded.
Batten tallied her second home run in the game, leading off the top of the sixth with a solo shot to left field, 7-4. This was her first multi-home run game of her career.
Mercer recorded two hits in the top of the seventh, but the Spartans’ defense secured the win with a double play.
PITCHING RECORDS
Rhyann Jones: W, 5-4
Salem Ward: Save (2)
Hannah Pitts: L, 5-8
RECORDS:
UNCG: 29-22, 11-6 SoCon
Mercer: 21-24, 10-7 SoCon
PURCHASE UNCG GEAR
UNCGgear.com is your one-stop shop for all of your official UNCG merchandise! From apparel to accessories, there is something for everyone!
Up Next:
The Spartans will conclude their regular season home slate with the final game of the series against SoCon foe Mercer on Sunday, April 28 with a single game scheduled for 1:00 p.m. This weekend is senior recognition weekend as well as Alumni Weekend for softball.
On Sunday before the game, UNCG will recognize its seven seniors.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro