PEMBROKE – Explosive hitting in the fifth inning drove in five runs on six hits to deliver the UNCP softball team an 8-2  victory in the first game of the doubleheader with Peach Belt Conference newcomer Young Harris on Tuesday at LRA Field.

The Lady Braves (17-23, 3-8 PBC) claimed their third conference victory and out-hit Young Harris (22-17, 4-7 PBC) by three as sophomore Kaytee Wilson was 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Senior Holly Berry notched two hits, while juniors Taylor Cloninger and Shelby Holland along with sophomore Brea Hartley and freshman Whitney Jackson each had one hit. Jackson and Berry crossed home plate twice, while Hartley led the team with two RBI. Stacia Williams registered two hits, as well as one RBI and a run for the Mountain Lions.

Junior Natalie Klemann (6-6) worked her pitches as she struck out half of the 12 batters she faced and only allowed two hits in her three innings of work. Senior Starr Gilley went the first four innings in the middle for UNCP as she also struck out six batters, but gave up two earned runs on five hits and six walks. 

Young Harris' Darby Stanford (11-6) collected the loss after giving up seven runs (four earned) on seven hits in 4-1/3 innings, before Karli Timms finished the 1-2/3 innings with one earned run on three hits.

The Black and Gold totaled two runs in the first inning as Kaytee Wilson single to right centerfield, Berry reached on a bunt and both Lady Braves scored on a throwing error by the pitcher. Young Harris pushed the game to a 2-2 score on a fielder's choice, double and single to bringing in the runs.

Using an error on the shortstop to have Jackson reach first in the fifth, the Lady Braves rolled in five runs as Jackson, Cloninger, Kaytee Wilson, Berry and Hartley crossed home plate with Holland and Steel also posting singles in the inning.

Finally in the sixth, Jackson opened the inning up with a single through the left side, stole second and scored on Kaytee Wilson's groundout to the shortstop for the 8-2 final score.