North Carolina State 3, UNC Greensboro 1
RALEIGH, NC ? The North Carolina State softball team used a three-run fifth inning to defeat UNC Greensboro 3-1 in the inaugural game at the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium on the campus of NC State on Wednesday afternoon.
UNCG (7-7) was led by Mary Greenway who was 1-for-3 from the plate with a double while tallying the Spartans only hit of the afternoon. Sophomore pitcher Amber Harrell went the distance for the fourth time this season.
The McDonough, GA native allowed three runs on four hits while striking out eight batters. Pinch runner, Laura Olenderski added the only run for the Spartans in the top of the sixth inning.
North Carolina State (7-8) was led by Blair Harkey and Alyssa Allbritten. Harky was 1-for-2 from the plate with one RBI while Allbritten was 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Lindsay Campana picked up the win while Mendy McKenzie pitched two innings in relief and allowed one run on no hits.
The squads were in a pitching duel for most of the game. UNCG was able to get the first hit of the game in the first inning with a leadoff double from Greenway, who has tallied a hit in each of the last nine games. The Spartans couldn’t find a way to get her across home plate and closed the inning with a strikeout and a ground out.
The Wolfpack threatened to take the early lead in the bottom of the second. With the bases loaded and two outs Harrell was able to end the scoring threat after striking out Harkey. The teams would remain scoreless largely in part to pitching. NC State’s Lindsay Campana threw five innings of work and allowing only one hit and striking out three.
The tide changed in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Wolfpack’s Allbritten walked and advanced to second on a second base to first base putout. She was able to advance to second on an error by UNCG’s third baseman and the Pack was able to put another runner on base. Allbritten scored on a wild pitch in the next at bat to put the Wolfpack ahead, 1-0.
UNCG had another error in the inning which led to another North Carolina State run and an RBI single from Harkey put the Pack ahead, 3-0 which is all they would need for their first win in Dail Stadium.
UNCG avoided the shutout with a run in the top of the sixth inning from Laura Olenderski. Olenderski, who was pinch running for Whitney Miler, who was walked in the first at bat of the inning was sent around the bases on a RBI from Whitney Sirois with two runners on base.
The Spartans return to the diamond this weekend when they head to Greenville, NC for the East Carolina Pirate Classic. UNCG will take on Fordham, Delaware, Radford and Towson before concluding the weekend with bracket play on Sunday. The Spartans return to UNCG Softball Stadium Wednesday March 5 when they welcome North Carolina for a midweek doubleheader.
No. 23 North Carolina 9, Elon 1
Chapel Hill, N.C.- Despite holding North Carolina scoreless through five and half innings, the Phoenix fell to the 23rd-ranked Tar Heels 9-1 at Anderson Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
With the loss, Elon falls to 6-5 this season, while the Tar Heels improve to 13-3. Taking the loss for the Phoenix was Melanie Helterbran who owns a 3-2 record. UNC’s Faith Sutton picked up the win and remains undefeated with at 3-0 record.
Elon got on the board first in the top of the third inning off an RBI by Brandi Jones. Allison Hartman drew a walk to lead off the inning that was followed by a single to left field. The two advanced on a passed ball by UNC catcher Brittany McKinney. The Phoenix loaded the bases when Tracey Dahlen walked. Jones earned her eighth RBI when she singled to shallow left to score McGowen from third. The Tar Heels retired the next two batters to end the Elon threat. Melanie Helterbran retired the next three UNC batters to end the inning.
UNC opened the bottom of the fourth with a walk by Cassie Palmer. Palmer was caught stealing to record the first out of the inning. Designated player Emily Troup drew a walk, and advanced to second on a sacrifice groundout by Jennifer Jacobs. Danielle Spaulding struck out looking to end the inning.
In the top of the fifth, Debbie Zeigler advanced to first after she was hit by a pitch, but would not advance farther than second as the next two batters were retired.
North Carolina recorded their second hit of the game in the fifth inning when McKinney singled to centerfield with two outs. The Tar Heels did not take advantage of the hit as pinch hitter Lisa Norris struck out.
Elon held a 1-0 lead through the top of the sixth. UNC’s bats came to life in the bottom of the sixth as they scored nine runs off of 10 hits. The inning began with a single to left center by Breanna Brown. Palmer laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Brown to second. Troup then singled down the left field line that scored Brown and tied the game at one. Ashley Oxendine came in to pinch run for Troup and advanced to second after Jacobs singled. Jacobs recorded the second out of the inning after Spaulding reached first on a fielder’s choice. Whitney Allen drove in the go ahead run with a single through the left side. Alyssa Francona added a three-run shot to deep center to extend the Tar Heel lead to 5-1.
Samantha Schroeder came on to relieve Helterbran in the circle after McKinney doubled. Chirstine Knauer singled to short to advance Anna Roberts, who came in to pinch run for McKinney, to third. Roberts crossed the plate after Brown singled up the middle, making it a 6-1 game. Stephanie Murad pinch hit for Oxendine and drove the first pitch to deep left field, allowing Brown and Knauer to score. The final run came when Jacobs doubled to right center to drive in Palmer, who initially reached on a walk.
The Phoenix return to action this weekend when they host Ohio University and Seton Hall University in the Golden Corral Phoenix Classic March 1-2. The first game of the tournament is slated to begin at 11 a.m. and will feature a match-up between Ohio and Seton Hall. Full coverage of the tournament will be available at www.ElonPhoenix.com .