PEMBROKE – With junior Schanique Barrett stepping up to pinch hit in the fifth with freshman Caitlin Steel and Sequoia Barrett on second and third, respectively, Schanique Barrett chopped a single through the right side to end the first game of the doubleheader against Mansfield with an 8-0 shutout victory on Wednesday.

Sophomores Kaytee Wilson and Brea Hartley went 2-for-3 from behind the plate, while the other six hits were recorded by Taylor Cloninger, Holly Berry, Shelby Holland, Steel, Karlee Wilson and Schanique Barrett. The Lady Braves (16-20) collected their third mercy-rule victory of the season as only two hits were notched by Mansfield (7-6).

Senior Starr Gilley (6-6) finished her seventh complete game after striking out eight in five innings. The Graham native faced 18 batters with 67 pitches and saw six batters reach base with two tagging on singles, another on a walk and three fielder's choices in the first. 

Mansfield sent three pitchers to the middle as Kate Pratt (1-4) and Ashley Inman each gave up three runs in two innings as Emily Crandell allowed the final two runs after going 2/3 innings in the circle for the Mountaineers.

UNCP led off with an early run in the first as Cloninger reached on a double, stole third, and scored on a throwing error by the catcher to the third baseman. The Black and Gold started the second with a similar play as Steel used a double to left centerfield, a stolen base to get to third and a fielder's choice sacrifice bunt by sophomore Megan Hillard to score Steel.

With a 2-0 lead entering the third, UNCP used two-consecutive doubles by Kaytee Wilson and Berry prior to three singles  by Hartley, Holland and senior Kellie Van Dyke to drive in four runs. Finally in the fifth, with runners in scoring position due to two base on balls, Schanique Barrett notched her first single to end the game by scoring the runners for the 8-0 victory.

To watch the full game click HERE.