PEMBROKE – The UNCP softball team spent the entire seven innings in game two digging itself out of the hole from the first inning as Augusta State nearly repeated game one with seven runs scored in the top of the first to solidify the 9-6 victory in the series sweep of the Lady Braves.

Despite suffering their fifth-straight loss, the Lady Braves (10-15, 0-2 PBC) posted two more hits than Augusta State (17-5, 2-0) as UNCP finished the game with 12 hits and six RBI. Shortstop Holly Berry went 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI, while Karlee Wilson, Ashley Harrell and Kaytee Wilson each went 2-for-3 as Harrell led the team with two RBI.

Kacee Camp notched three hits for the Jaguars, while Molly Walton posted two as the squad finished the game with eight RBI and 10 hits.

Natalie Klemann (3-4) allowed all nine runs (six earned) and eight hits during her three innings in the circle for UNCP, but managed five strikeouts before being relieved by Starr Gilley for the final four innings. Gilley struck out three and gave up two hits. 

Heather Hughes started in the circle for Augusta State and went 3-2/3 innings as she allowed seven hits and four earned runs. Heather Sexton (3-1) came in and pitched 3-1/3 innings to end the game and gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits.

"The first inning in both of our games we didn't come out mentally or physically prepared and we didn't do a good job of setting the tone," said head coach Lacinda Melanson. "I am pleased the girls didn't give up after being down seven runs in the second game, because I was pretty hard on them between games and they knew I wasn't pleased with their performance and they still found a way to come together and work hard."

Augusta State went through the entire batting order as Klemann saw 11 at-bats in the first inning with five reaching on hits, two advancing to first after being hit by the pitch and one error to give the Jaguars the 7-0 lead forcing UNCP to play catch up the entire game.

UNCP put two runs on the board in the second inning as Kristen Hobbs singled up the middle before crossing home plate on the double by Karlee Wilson. Karlee Wilson scored on the single up the middle by Harrell to bring the Lady Braves to within five runs.

In the third, Jamie Burwell reached on a single to left center and scored on the sacrifice fly by Kaytee Wilson, however Augusta State extended its lead by scoring an additional two runs in the fourth inning to bring the scored to 9-3.

The Black and Gold battled back with one run in the fourth as Karlee Wilson reached on her second double of the day and crossed home plate on Harrell second-consecutive single up the middle. The Lady Braves inched closer in the fifth inning with two runs as Kaytee Wilson doubled to right center and was brought home on the single to left field by Berry. Berry scored on the single to right field by Hobbs. 

The Black and Gold will battle region rival No. 25 Lenoir-Rhyne (19-6) on Sunday in a 2 p.m. doubleheader in Hickory.

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