PEMBROKE – Sophomore Brea Hartley captured her first career grand slam in the first inning of the game before junior Taylor Cloninger added the game-winning run in the second inning to defeat the Catawba Lady Indians in the first game of the doubleheader on Sunday at LRA Field.

UNCP (5-7) not only snapped a two-game losing streak in the series with Catawba (5-5), but the squad also halted its two-game losing streak this season since competing in the UNCP Invitational last weekend.

Using an error, hit and walk to load the bases, Hartley used the third pitch sent her way to notch a game-high four RBI on the home run over the left field wall. Junior Shelby Holland was 3-for-4 with two RBI as she scored the first and final run for UNCP as Cloninger crossed home plate. 

Amanda Terry led the Lady Indians with two hits and two runs, while Gina Gerone and Sydney Hyder combined for five RBI. Five different Lady Braves each collected one hit, while four totaled one run apiece.

Junior Natalie Klemann (3-2) gave up all five runs (four earned) on six hits during her five innings in the circle and grabbed the win after junior Katy Austin picked up her first save of the season. Austin finished the final two innings and allowed one hit and a walk but struck out an additional batter in the eight batters faced. 

Emily B. Honeycutt (0-3) began the first three innings in the circle for Catawba and gave up all six runs (five earned) on four hits and four walks, while Selena Ashley closed out the final three innings and allowed four hits in the 14 batters faced.

Cloninger reached first base on a walk in the bottom of the first inning and scored on Holland's single to centerfield to score the first run before Hartley brought in four additional runs to give UNCP a 5-0 lead after one complete inning. Again in the second inning, Cloninger saw four walks and took to first before crossing home plate on Holland's second single to centerfield to take a 6-0 lead.

The Black and Gold had bases loaded in the fourth with Cloninger and Kaytee Wilson each notching singles, while Holly Berry reached on a walk. Holland, Karlee Wilson and Hartley left the squad scoreless in the inning as each posted a fielder's choice.

Catawba attempted a comeback in the fourth inning as three runs were scored on two singles and two doubles, and again added two additional runs in the fifth. Austin denied the Lady Indians any opportunity to score as she only faced four batters in each inning.