PEMBROKE – No. 16 Armstrong Atlantic used a homer in the fourth and triple in the seventh inning to clinch the series sweep of the UNCP softball team, 5-3, on Sunday evening in the second game of the doubleheader despite a three hour rain delay between games.
Senior Kristen Hobbs and freshman Kaytee Wilson were 3-for-3 with an RBI each to help UNCP (14-19, 3-5 PBC) outhit Armstrong (31-8, 7-1) with 10 hits. The Pirates posted nine hits as April Jowers led the way with three and Whitney Galloway notched two hits with two RBI.
Natalie Klemann (5-5) pitched a complete game as she allowed five runs (four earned) and struck out four. Caitlin Campbell (15-3) spent the first five innings in the middle for the Pirates and allowed all three earned runs, but struck out two batters before Megan Barnwell entered into the game for the final two innings for her second save of the season.
Armstrong opened the first inning with an unearned run before the Lady Braves posted two runs to lead 2-1 going into the second inning. Brea Hartley singled to the second baseman before Holly Berry singled to the shortstop to put runners on base. Hobbs stepped up for her first at-bat and doubled to right field scoring Hartley, while Kaytee Wilson single to right field to bring home Berry.
"Hobbs and Kaytee Wilson did a great job," said UNCP head coach Lacinda Melanson. "They found ways to make things happen offensively and that is what we really needed. They really were a key spark to our offense when they were coming around and it gave us a quality shot at scoring runs or at least doing something to put pressure on the defense. I was very proud of both of them for the adjustments I was asking them to make today."
The Pirates registered another two runs in the third inning to take the 4-2 lead before UNCP scored its final run as Kaytee Wilson reach on a single to left field, moved to second on the single through the left side by Karlee Wilson, advanced to third on Kellie Van Dyke's fielder's choice and scored on the sacrifice fly by Jamie Burwell. Armstrong homered in the fourth inning and posted another run on a triple to finish the game with a score of 5-3.
The Lady Braves return to action on Monday as the squad hosts Peach Belt Conference foe Flagler (29-11, 6-4) in a 1 p.m. doubleheader at LRA Field.
