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.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro