UNCG’s Avery Bouquin Hits Three-Run Homer in 3-0 Win Over Loyola Chicago
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball team earned its seventh shutout of the season with a 3-0 win over Loyola Chicago on Tuesday evening at UNCG Softball Stadium.
The Spartans are now 14-8 overall, while the Ramblers fall to 8-13 this season.
Neither team saw a base runner in the first inning.
UNCG’s Laney Deane reached first base on a throwing error in the bottom of the second and Jazmin Mejia tallied the first hit of the game, a single down the left field line, but the Ramblers got out of the inning as the Spartans left one on base.
Loyola saw its first base runner in the top of the third, but it was short lived as the Spartans’ defense retired the side and the Ramblers stranded a runner on second.
In the bottom of the third with one out, Hadley Gardner singled to center field and Kaylyn Belfield advanced her with a single of her own.
With a 2-1 count, Avery Bouquin launched a long fly ball over the left field wall for her second homer of the season, giving UNCG a 3-0 advantage.
The Ramblers threatened in the fourth and fifth innings with base runners, but UNCG’s pitching and defense kept them at bay.
The Spartans held on for the 3-0 victory as Rhyann Jones and Salem Ward combined for a complete game shutout. Jones struck out three batters in 4.0 innings with just one hit allowed, while Ward retired two batters in 3.0 innings tossed and giving up two hits.
PITCHING RECORD
Salem Ward: W, 4-3
Brooke Steinhorst: L, 1-5
UP NEXT
UNCG will travel to Wilmington, North Carolina, to compete in the UNCW Tournament from March 6-8 on Boseman Field. The Spartans will open the tournament with Army on Friday at 3:30 p.m. They will also face Toledo and host UNCW.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro