Appalachian State 14, Maryland-Eastern Shore 6
Appalachian State 10, Coppin State 0
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Appalachian State University put consecutive dominating performances together to beat Maryland Eastern-Shore 14-6 and Coppin State in the second day of the North Carolina A&T Invitational on Saturday. With the wins, ASU plays A&T at 1 p.m. tomorrow in the championship game.
McKenzie Phillips and Megan Rembielak combined for seven RBIs to lead ASU in the win over UMES. ASU took a 3-0 first inning lead on RBI hits from Phillips and Rembielak and Phillips scored on a passed ball.
The Red Hawks stormed back in the second with six runs to take the lead. Courtney Taylor dealt the big blow with a two-run double, however, only one of the runs was earned. The Apps fought back with two in the bottom half of the inning and two more in the third before exploding for six runs in the fourth.
Rembielak and Phillips were the center of attention again, as each had RBI hits as did Michelle Gorzelle and Sarah Rappe.
Caitlin Wainright picked up her third win of the year in relief, going 3.1 innings with eight strikeouts.
Hannah Dow drove in four runs to lead the Mountaineers to a 10-0 win over Coppin State.
ASU struck quickly with four runs in the first inning. Phillips and Allie Cashion delivered run scoring singled before Dow drove in two runs with a double, all the runs scored with two outs.
Cashion led off the third with a walk and scored on a Michelle Lighton double to put ASU on top 5-0.
Rembielak got the inning started with a bunt single and Katie Boyd followed with her third homer of the year. After hits by Cashion and Phillips, Meghan Smith hit a sacrifice fly to score Cashion and Dow finished the scoring with another two-run double.
Frannie Seader picked up the win, not allowing a hit through three innings before Louise Gibson came in to complete the shutout.
Georgia Southern 9, Connecticut 2
Georgia Southern 3, Villanova 2
FT. MYERS, Fla. - Georgia Southern (7-4) softball continued to dominate its opponents at the Florida Gulf Coast Tournament as they defeated both the University of Connecticut, 9-2, and Villanova, 3-2.
Georgia Southern opened Day 2 of the tournament facing off against the Connecticut Huskies from Connecticut and for the first time of the tournament, the Eagles did not score first. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third, the Eagles made the Huskies pay for their miscues. Katelynn Szcezpanski (Chesapeake, Va.) reached by a Huskies' error. Then, with two outs in the innings, Marie Fogle (Rincon, Ga.) singled to left center, driving in Szcezpanski. Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) singled, which scored Fogle. Sam Russo (Snellville, Ga.) also singled, which brought Smith in and brought the score to 3-1, GSU. The Eagles would never look back.
After allowing a run in the top of the fifth, the Eagles went back to work offensively. Nina Iduate (Norcross, Ga.) got it started with an infield single. Fogle then singled to right field. Another Huskie error allowed Smith to reach base and Iduate to score. Kayla Brooks (Jonesboro, Ga.), pinch hitting for Andrea Tarashuk (Flemington, N.J.), singled to load the bases. Kelly Burnett (Boynton Beach, Fla.) flew out to center field, allowing Fogle to score, Eagles 5-2.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Eagles went back to work. Jenny Side (Loganville, Ga.) doubled to left. Sara Hinchman (Douglasville, Ga.) tripled, driving in Stephanie Peet (Lawrenceville, Ga.), who was running for Side. Iduate then hit a sacrifice fly to score Hinchman. Another Huskie error allowed Fogle to reach. Smith's bomb to right field brought in the last two Eagle runs. Eagle pitcher Smith improved to 2-3 on the season and 2-0 in the tournament while allowing only three hits and striking out five Huskie batters.
After a lengthy five-hour rain delay, the Eagles second game finally got started around 6 p.m. For the first five innings, both pitchers dominated. Briana Streetmon (Winder, Ga.) (4-1) continued her strong performance in the tournament, striking out six in the game, five coming in the first four innings. Offensively, the Eagles would strike first. Fogle lead off the sixth inning with a single up the middle. Smith would strike again, this time with a double, bringing Fogle in for the first run of the game. After Mackenzie Williams was hit by a pitch and stole second, Side singled brought in both Smith and Williams.
The Eagles would have to survive a Villanova comeback attempt. Clinging to a 3-2 lead, with two Wildcats in scoring position, the Eagles infield defense rose to the occasion on two separate occasions keeping the tying run from scoring. First, Hanna Ennis (Snellville, Ga.) kept the tying run from scoring by making an amazing catch while running backwards. Russo then knocked down a sharply hit ball into the gap between first and second base, and tossing to Ennis helping cover first base from her second base position.
In the seventh inning, the Wildcats once again attempted to tie the ballgame. The Eagles got the lead runner out at second for the first out of the inning. Wildcat Tessa Braga stole second to get into scoring position. Streetmon would then pick up her last strikeout of the game for the second out. A grounder to Side was delivered in time to end the Wildcats hopes and secure the sweep of Big East opponents in Day 2 of the tournament improving the Eagles move to (4-0) in the Florida Gulf Coast Tournament.
Georgia Southern's final game of the tournament against Eastern Michigan has been moved from 1 p.m. to 11 a.m. due to Saturday's weather delay. Sunday's game can be followed at www. GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com under the live stats link at the bottom of the home page.
Delaware State 9, Western Carolina 5
Western Carolina 11, North Carolina Central 4
CARY, N.C. - Western Carolina softball (1-5) split its opening games at the Lady Eagle Classic, losing to Delaware State (2-0) 9-5 and defeating host North Carolina Central (1-7) 11-4, Saturday Thomas Brooks Park.
The win over the Lady Eagles was the first of the season for the Catamounts. Western Carolina posted a season-high in runs (11) and hits (16) in the game.
Freshman hurler Amber Steinhardt tossed a complete game to earn her first win as a Catamounts, moving to 1-2 on the season. She went seven innings allowing four runs on six hits and struck out four.
Steinhardt gave up a run in the opening frame against North Carolina Central when Michelle Ishida hit a sacrifice fly to left field scoring Kaitlin Kramer from third. Western Carolina posted two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-1 lead. The Catamounts Jordan Fulton hit a lead-off single and senior catcher Danielle Reese followed with a single of her own. A Lady Eagle miscue allowed Fulton to motor home and score. After Chelsea Schaffer reached on fielder's choice, with Reese out at third, Schaffer scored on an RBI single by Haley Pace.
After giving up the single run in the first inning, Steinhardt worked three scoreless innings, allowing Western Carolina to score seven unanswered runs.
In the second inning, Kristen Gay hit a lead off triple, her second of the season. RBI knocks by Steinhardt and Reese, along with three North Carolina Central errors, allowed Western Carolina to post two runs. The Catamounts added two more runs in the third inning, with RBI hits by Gay and the second by Steinhardt.
It was three more runs for Western Carolina in the fourth inning. A two RBI double by Liles scored Reese and Schaffer and Liles was plated by Pace's RBI single.
North Carolina posted two runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth to pull within five runs of Western Carolina, 9-4. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Western Carolina tacked on two more runs. RBI hits by Schaffer and Bekah Burkett scored the runs.
Reese led Western Carolina going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.
In the opening game of the day, Delaware posted all nine of its runs in the second inning. Catamount starting pitcher Katie King went just one full inning, and took the loss, giving up seven of Delaware's runs. King falls to 0-3 on the season. She faced seven batters in the second inning before being replaced by Steinhardt.
Western Carolina did lead briefly in the game, when Schaffer hit an RBI double at the top of the second to give the Catamounts a 1-0 lead. The Catamounts got a run in the third, a run in the fifth and two in the seventh. Schaffer went 1-for-4 in the game and had two RBI.
The Catamounts wrap up the tournament at North Carolina Central on Sunday. Western Carolina faces Barton College at 10 a.m. and South Carolina State at 2 p.m.
Elon 7, IUPUI 6
IUPUI 5, Elon 2
ELON, N.C. - The Elon softball team split a doubleheader with the Jaguars of IUPUI on Saturday afternoon at East Field. The Phoenix earned a 7-6 victory in the first game before falling 5-2 in the second contest. Elon moves to 7-1 on the season while IUPUI is now 3-4.
Game One
Ashlee Crewe's solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, her second long ball of the game, was the decisive run as Elon defeated the Jaguars 7-6. With a 2-1 count, Crewe blasted a ball over the wall in left center field.
Elon scored early and often to start the game, putting up two runs in both the first and second innings. In the first inning, Jackie Gonzalez and Tomeka Watson put down back-to-back bunt singles before Emerald Graham earned a walk to load the bases. Danielle Lafferty took four straight balls to walk and send Gonzalez home. Erin O'Shea then knocked a sacrifice fly to center to score Watson and give Elon a 2-0 lead. In the second inning, Kaitlyn Piazzolla hit a hard ball down the left field line to reach first before Crewe knocked a line drive off of the scoreboard for her first home run of the day.
The Jaguars posted six runs in the top of the third inning. With the bases loaded, Amy Raker singled up the middle to push Mia Ettl and Alicia Hayes across home plate. Chelsie Hale earned a walk to load the bases before Alicia Garrison doubled to right center to send three Jaguars home and give IUPUI a 5-4 lead. Sydney Miller followed with a double to send Garrison home for IUPUI's sixth run of the inning. Elon pitcher Lauren Taylor got two Jaguar players to strike out to end the scoring threat.
Elon rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. With runners on second and third, Graham singled to right field to send Gonzalez home and cut the IUPUI advantage to just one, 6-5. O'Shea then knocked her second sacrifice fly of the game to plate Watson and knot the score.
Taylor (3-0) earned the win for the Phoenix after throwing 4.2 innings in relief. She gave up three runs on six hits while striking out four batters. O'Shea threw 2.1 innings to start the game and gave up three runs on no hits while fanning three.
Gonzalez, Watson and Crewe each tallied two hits for the Phoenix. Crewe posted three RBI and O'Shea drove in two runs. Watson earned two stolen bases for Elon and Gonzalez added another.
Samantha Bumbaugh (0-3) suffered the loss for the Jaguars after tossing 5.0 innings in relief. She gave up three runs on five hits and struck out four batters. Jocelyn Oppenhuis hurled 1.0 innings for IUPUI to start the game. She gave up four runs on four hits while striking out one batter.
Garrison led the Jaguars from the plate, going 2-for-3 with one run and three RBI. Hale and Miller tallied two hits apiece.
Game Two
In the top of the first inning, a single from Raker sent Kelsey Rupert home to put the Jaguars on top 1-0. IUPUI added another run in the top of the second inning on a solo home run from Hayes.
Elon knotted the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. With runners on second and third, O'Shea singled to left field, sending Watson home to cut the deficit to one, 2-1. Caitlin McGowan then put down a beautiful bunt that scored Graham from third base to tie the contest.
The Jaguars took a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth inning on a single from Breanna Shannon that scored pinch runner Keshia Head. IUPUI added two more runs in the top of the seventh inning when Leah Prewitt knocked a two-run homer over the left field fence.
Pam DelPizzo (2-1) suffered the loss for the Phoenix after hurling 6.1 innings and giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits while striking out six batters.
McGowan led Elon from the plate, going 2-for-3 with one RBI. Gonzalez, Piazzolla and Crewe each posted two hits while O'Shea tallied an RBI.
Raker (2-0) picked up the win for the Jaguars. She tossed 3.0 innings in relief, giving up no runs on three hits while retiring one batter. Nicole Natter threw 4.0 innings and gave up two runs on seven hits while fanning three.
Raker tallied two hits and one RBI for IUPUI while Hayes and Rupert each posted two hits.
The teams return to action in the third game of the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. at East Field.
College of Charleston 8, Campbell 7
Campbell 7, College of Charleston 5
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - Senior designated hitter Kristie Shifflett (Virginia Beach, Va.) went 5-for-7 with two runs and an RBI as the College of Charleston (4-7) pounded out a combined 21 hits and earned a double-header split with Campbell (2-7-1) in non-conference softball action at Patriots Point on Saturday, February 27. CofC rallied for an 8-7 win in eight innings in the first game before falling just short at 7-5 in the nightcap.
Trailing 5-4 entering the sixth inning of Game 1, the Cougars benefited from a bunt single and an error to put runners on first and third before junior shortstop Hillary Stringer (Summerville, S.C.) singled to right field to tie the game at 5-5. Campbell went down 1-2-3 in their half of the seventh inning and CofC rallied with a pair of singles to threaten in the bottom of the inning before consecutive outs sent the game to extra innings.
The Camels broke through first in the extra frame as they scored a pair of runs in the eighth on a single by junior outfielder Lauren Stephan and took a 7-5 lead into the bottom of the inning before the Cougars' responded in force in the home half of the inning. A single by junior first baseman Katie Nutaitis (Vienna, Va.)
And a double from junior shortstop Hillary Stringer (Summerville, S.C.) to lead off the inning set the stage for a CofC rally.
With one out, junior outfielder Kristi Woodall (Huntersville, N.C.) then laced a double to the left field gap that scored both runners and tied the game at 7-7. Kristie Shifflett followed that with a walk before sophomore outfielder Amanda Lonergan (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) found a hole in right as she singled home the game-winning run for an 8-7 victory.
Earlier in the game, CofC took the early 1-0 lead on an RBI double from Shifflett before the Camels equaled that with a run in the second and exploded for four runs in the third to make it 5-1. The Cougars then rallied for three runs without the benefit of a hit in the fourth inning to make it 5-4 and setup Stringer's tying single.
Stephan and sophomore pitcher Christina Melton each had two RBIs in Game 1 for Campbell while junior shortstop Amanda Miller and sophomore catcher Taylor McGee each went 2-for-4 with Miller adding a run and an RBI.
For the College of Charleston, Stringer went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored while Shifflett finished 2-for-3 with a double, walk, hit-by-pitch and an RBI. Woodall added her two RBIs and Lonergan, sophomore third baseman Kelley Dillon (Hanahan, S.C.) and Nutaitis each had a run batted in. Freshman pitcher Stephanie Saylors (Easley, S.C.) earned the victory to move to 2-1 with 5.1 innings of strong relief.
In the nightcap, the game remained scoreless until the Camels notched a third-inning run on a solo homerun to left by McGee. CofC answered in the bottom of the inning as a pair of singles put runners on for Lonergan, who then belted her second homerun of the season, a three-run blast to right, to make it 3-1 Cougars. It would be a short-lived lead, however, as Campbell scored five runs over the next two innings to take a 6-3 advantage.
The College of Charleston clawed back with a solo homerun to center by redshirt-junior catcher Katie Pesature (Brewster, N.Y.) in the fifth inning before a Dillon double down the left field line the following inning narrowed the gap to 6-5. An RBI single in the seventh and a 1-2-3 bottom of the inning by Melton then locked up the 7-5 victory for Campbell.
Junior pitcher Katie Woodcock went 1-for-1 with two key RBIs as a pinch hitter and stayed on to pitch 2.2 innings and earn the win for the Camels while Miller added two RBIs of her own. Melton, McGee and senior third baseman Robin Leathers each added a single RBI to round out the offensive performances for Campbell.
For the Cougars, Kristie Shifflett led the way as she went 3-for-4 with two runs and Woodall finished 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored on the evening. Lonergan's three RBIs on her second homerun of the season topped the offensive production for CofC while Dillon laced a pair of doubles and added an RBI.
The College of Charleston wraps up its season long 13-game home stand with a double-header against St. Bonaventure on Wednesday, March 3. First pitch of Game 1 is slated for 4 p.m.
NOTES
In a time of 2:45, Game 1 was the Cougars' longest of the season ... with two homeruns on the day, CofC now has 12 on the season and is averaging 1.10 per game.
Kentucky 3, Chattanooga 1
Chattanooga 8, Georgetown 0
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team recorded an 8-0 victory in six innings over Georgetown in the second game of the day at the Frost Classic Inspired by Memorial on Saturday, while the Lady Mocs fell short in a 3-1 loss to Kentucky.
Junior leadoff hitter Lyndsey Stiles (Hixson, Tenn.) was 5-for-7 on the afternoon helping to spark the Lady Mocs offense and scoring three runs. Against Kentucky, senior Tia Blosser (Knoxville, Tenn.) and junior Michelle Fuzzard (Huntington Beach, Calif.) each had two hits combing for four of the six by the Lady Mocs.
Driving in a career-high three runs vs. Georgetown, junior Kaiti Kelley (Chattanooga, Tenn.) thrived off Stiles getting on base by recording two singles.
Junior Nikki Waters (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) picked up her second win of the season striking out six in a two hitter against Georgetown, while senior Brooke Loudermilk (Locust Grove, Ga.) toed the rubber for Chattanooga against the Wildcats striking out seven.
The Lady Mocs finish the Frost Classic Inspired by Memorial on Sunday against Miami (Ohio) with the first pitch scheduled for 12:30 p.m. It is the final day of the three-day event. A live webcast is available through Chattanooga All-Access on GoMocs.com along with live statistics for all the games.
Game One: Kentucky 3, Chattanooga 1
Chattanooga out hit Kentucky and had opportunities to drive in runs, but the Wildcats used the long ball to snap the Lady Mocs nine-game winning streak. Fuzzard went 2-for-2 and Blosser picked up two singles as Chattanooga fell to 9-3.
The Wildcats and in particular Molly Johnson took advantage of two Loudermilk mistakes that ended as two homeruns that scored all three runs. Loudermilk pitched an impressive game striking out seven and gave up only five hits.
The Lady Mocs stranded a runner in each of the first three innings proving that they could hit Kansas pitcher Chandra Bell, who entered the game with 74 strikeouts on the season. After Stiles hit a seeing-eye single up the middle and stole second base, Kelley perfectly placed a single over the shortstop scoring the runner and tying the game at one.
Kentucky scored first with a Johnson home run to right center. It was the first home run that Loudermilk had given up in eight appearances this season.
Once again in the sixth, the Wildcats used the long ball to get on top of the home team, but this time it was a two-run shot by Johnson that just cleared the right field fence. On both homeruns, Johnson waited on the pitch and the right handed batter stroked it the other way.
Chattanooga had a wonderful opportunity to score in the bottom of the sixth as Fuzzard was hit by a pitch and junior Tiffany Baker (East Ridge, Tenn.) doubled down the left field line with two outs. After fouling off four pitches from Johnson in an extended at bat, senior Laci Upchurch (Madison, Tenn.) was retired on a foul out to the shortstop with two runners in scoring position.
After late inning dramatics against Rutgers scoring three in the bottom of the seventh on Feb. 26, Blosser led off the inning with a single, but the next three Lady Mocs were retired in order.
Game Two: Chattanooga 8, Georgetown 0 (6 inn.)
The bats came alive for the UTC softball team in second game of the day as the Lady Mocs recorded 13 hits in an 8-0 defeat of Georgetown in six innings. Stiles led the way with a perfect 4-for-4 outing and scored three runs, while Kelley drove in a career-high three base runners.
In the circle, Waters threw a six inning two hitter and struck out six to help the Lady Mocs to a 10-3 mark and drop the Hoyas to 4-4 on the season.
Baker went 3-for-4 in the game with a double and knocked in two RBI.
Stiles singled to lead off the game for the Lady Mocs and Kelley moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. After a walk to Fuzzard and a passed ball, Baker drove a liner into the left center field gap to put Chattanooga on the board 2-0.
To open the second inning, sophomore Jenni Martin (East Ridge, Tenn.) singled into the gap between third and short and sophomore Jessica Traxler (Chino Hills, Calif.) moved her to second on a sacrifice bunt. After Stiles slapped a pitch up the middle, Martin came across the plate when Kelley legged out a single to the shortstop with two out.
Chattanooga scored twice in the fourth when Kelley delivered a two RBI single through the right side scoring Traxler and Stiles, who lined a double down the left field line. It was her third RBI of the game a new career high.
Up five going into the six, Stiles started off a rally with a seeing-eye single through the left side, the fourth hit of the game for the Hixson, Tenn., native. Freshman Kasey Tydingco (Fairfield, Calif.) pinch hit for Kelley and sent a ball into the hole on the right side that the right fielder misplayed allowing Tydingco to advance to third. The RBI was the first of the season for the freshman making the score 6-0.
On the next play, Tydingco touched the plate after a Fuzzard single up the middle. Needing only one run to end the game, Upchurch knocked in junior Della Harrison (Chattanooga, Tenn.), who was running for Baker after a single, with a single that dropped in front of the centerfielder.
Mackensey Carter and Melissa Conners pitched for the Hoyas recording three strikeouts, while Samantha Peters and McKinley Cooper recorded the two hits for the squad.
Samford 5, Alabama State 2
UAB 8, Samford 2
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford softball team split its doubleheader Saturday in day two of the Magic City Classic. The Bulldogs started the day off with a 5-2 win over Alabama State before falling to cross-town rival UAB, 8-2. Samford is now 5-4 on the season while UAB moves to 8-4 and Alabama State falls to 2-9.
Samford began action Saturday in the third game of the day, taking on Alabama State. The Hornets, who were the home team for this contest, got on the board quickly in the bottom of the first inning after shutting out the Bulldogs at the top of the inning. However, Samford tied things up in the top of the second when Amanda Jordan homered to left field.
The Hornets took the lead back in the bottom of the inning, but Samford would take the lead back in the top of the third inning. With Rachael Reeves on third and Amy Gonzalez on second, Katie England reached base on a fielder's choice which brought Reeves in to score. Meanwhile, England advanced to second on the throw to home. Amanda Barrs then grounded out to third base which brought Gonzalez home to make it a 3-2 ballgame in Samford's favor.
The Bulldogs added two more runs in the top of the fourth. The first came when Reeves reached first base on an error by third base. Anna Kimbrell, who had just doubled to get into scoring position for Samford, scored while Reeves was reaching base. Reeves scored what would be the winning run when Harmon singled through the right side.
Against the Hornets, Gonzalez led the Bulldogs with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate and one run. Harmon also had two hits while Barrs, Jordan, Kimbrell and Reeves each had one hit. Reeves also scored two runs.
Stephanie Royall (3-0) got the win for Samford, pitching four complete innings while striking out four batters and only giving up two runs on eight hits. Harmon finished out the game, striking out three batters.
For Alabama State, Brehanna Rodrigues and Sosefina Toilolo each went 2-for-4 at the plate while Quaniesha Limbreck went 2-for-3. Amanda Gracia (1-4) took the loss for the Hornets, giving up five runs, three earned, on eight hits and striking out only one batter in five and one-third innings. Destinee Sanchez finished out the game and struck out three batters while giving up just one hit.
In the second game, UAB quickly retired Samford's first three batters before putting four runs on the board in the first inning. They tacked one more on in the bottom of the second inning before adding another in the bottom of the fifth.
Samford finally got on the board in the top of the sixth when Alex Adams singled with runners on second and third. Aaren Fisher then flied out to bring Barrs home and Kayla Shaffer, who was pinch running for Adams, was tagged out trying to steal home.
UAB sealed Samford's fate by adding two more runs in the bottom of the inning to go ahead 8-2 before striking out bottom half of the order to end the game.
Harmon led the Bulldogs, going 2-for-3 with one run while England, Barrs and Adams each also had a hit. Adams and Fisher were credited with one RBI each while Harmon and Barrs scored the runs.
Barrs (1-2) took the loss for the Bulldogs after pitching three and one third innings. She gave up four earned runs on six hits while walking two batters and striking out three. Harmon came in on relief and pitched two and one-third inning with three runs on four hits and two strikeouts. Royall pitched the final out.
Alisha Smith (3-3) got the win for UAB in the circle, pitching sixh inning and giving up just two runs on five hits while striking out four batters. Lauren Webster finished out the game, recording the last three strikeouts.
UAB was led by Martina Landrum with a 3-for-4 performance on the night. She scored two runs while Cameron Skates also had two. Skates also went 2-for-4 at the plate and recorded two RBI. Kayla Orr recorded three RBI on her homerun in the first inning. Kate Armstrong also had a homerun for the Blazers in the fifth inning.
In other Magic City Classic action, Troy defeated Nicholls State, 3-2, in the first game of the day while Alabama State defeated UAB, 11-3.
Samford will round out the Magic City Classic Sunday as it takes on Troy University at 1:15 p.m. CT. UAB and Nicholls State will begin the day's action at 11 a.m.
Cleveland State 13, UNC Greensboro 6
Sacred Heart 8, UNC Greensboro 0
GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNC Greensboro was swept on the second day of its own Spartan Classic, dropping a 13-6 decision to Cleveland State and an 8-0 contest to Sacred Heart in 5 innings on Saturday. The Pioneers hit a walk-off home run and no-hit the Spartans in the second semifinal of the day.
In other action at the Spartan Classic, Sacred Heart (2-2) downed Niagara (1-3) in the day's first game, 8-0 in 5 innings. Cleveland State (6-3) topped Niagara 7-6 in the afternoon's first semifinal.
UNCG's first game of the day was a close one until a wild sixth inning that saw the teams combine for 11 runs. A two-run home run from Alex Emeterio in the bottom of the fifth inning drew the Spartans (3-9) to within a run at 4-3, but the Vikings exploded for eight runs in the top of the sixth to blow the game open.
CSU rapped out five hits and drew four walks in the frame, but the big blow in the inning was a grand slam off the bat of Jessica Burt. The Vikings also got an RBI double from Gabby Gillilan, an RBI single from Lia Gordon and a pair of bases-loaded walks in the inning.
Cleveland State's outburst put the Vikings up 12-3, meaning UNCG had to score at least two runs in the bottom half of the inning to avoid the mercy rule. The Spartans did just that, getting a towering pinch-hit, three-run home from freshman Chelsea D'Ambrosio down the left field line before an out had been recorded.
The Vikings then re-entered starter Amanda Mecenko, who put down the next three batters in order to escape further damage.
CSU also got a solo home run from Tess Sito in the first inning and a two-run shot from Andrea Nagy in the fourth.
Emeterio finished 2-for-3 with two RBI for UNCG, while Brittany Ausley was 2-for-4 with a run scored. D'Ambrosio was 1-for-1 with three RBI.
Burt, Sito and Dara Toman had two hits each for Cleveland State. Burt had four RBI and Nagy finished with three.
Macenko (5-3) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits in 7 innings. She struck out 11. Brandy Holmes was tagged for three runs on three hits, failing to record and out in the sixth.
UNCG starter Amber Harrell (1-4) took the loss, as she allowed 11 runs, all earned, on seven hits and eight walks in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Raeanne Hanks finished the game for the Spartans, allowing two runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings of work.
UNCG's loss meant the Spartans would be the three seed in the tournament, earning a spot in the night's second semifinal against second-seeded Sacred Heart.
SHU pitcher Nicole Sidor was on from the start, as she sat down the game's first 12 batters before freshman Heather Robb broke up the perfect game in the fifth. One out later, Katie Stripling drew another walk, but those were the only base-runners of the evening for UNCG.
The Spartans were no-hit in a regulation game for the first time since Virginia Tech's Angela Tincher did so by an identical score in 5 innings on March 12, 2008.
The Pioneers led 4-0 going into the fifth inning, but Sacred Heart pushed across four runs in the frame to end the game early. SHU made it 5-0 on Amanda Bradley's RBI fielder's choice, then Liz Tsipouras hit a walk-off, three-run homer out to center field to put the mercy rule into effect.
Adrian Fitzsimon also had a three-run home run in the fourth inning as Sacred Heart exploded for seven runs over the final two frames to blow open what had been a 1-0 game.
Sidor picked up her first win on the season to even her record at 1-1, allowing just two walks and striking out six.
Her counterpart, UNCG's Cory Mattson, fell to 1-4, allowing eight runs - seven earned - on six hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings. She also struck out six.
UNCG returns to action Sunday in the Spartan Classic consolation game, where it will face Niagara at 11 a.m. Cleveland State will take on Sacred Heart in the championship game at 1 p.m.