Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 RELATED: Francis Marion's Luff Claims No Hitter Against Softball, 2-0
FLORENCE, S.C. – Kristie Hanewinckel knocked a walk-off base hit along the left field line to score Briana Barzolalf for the game-winning run in the ninth inning and the Peach Belt Conference sweep of the visiting UNC Pembroke softball team, 3-2, in the second game of the doubleheader on Wednesday evening.
With the loss, UNCP (17-19, 5-9 PBC) suffered its seventh-straight defeat, while Francis Marion (20-20, 6-8) swept its second league twinbill.
The Lady Braves finished the game with five hits as Whitney Jackson, Kaytee Wilson, Brea Hartley, Taylor Cloninger and Shelby Holland each tallied one hit apiece. Sophomore Caitlin Steel and Holland grabbed an RBI each, while Jackson and Cloninger put up UNCP's runs.
Hanewinckel led the team with three hits, while two others posted a pair of hits with Shelby Mathews notching two RBI.
Junior Selena Ashley (7-9) went eight complete innings and allowed all three earned runs on nine hits and four walk for the loss in the middle despite striking out a trio of batters.
Katie Carnes opened the game in the circle for Francis Marion and pitched 3-1/3 innings prior to being relieved by Taylor Luff (11-11) for the final 5-2/3 innings and the win. Carnes allowed three hits and both runs (one earned), while Luff struck out six and gave up a pair of hits.
Jackson opened up the first inning with a bunt to reach first and tallied the opening run to put the Black and Gold on the board first as she crossed the line on Steel's groundout to second base. Again in the second, Cloninger led off the inning as she reached on a base on balls and scored on Holland's single to right centerfield for the 2-nil lead.
Francis Marion tied up the game in the third inning as Megan Smith and Hanewinckel came home using a walk, two hits and an error. Despite leaving 12 on base compared to UNCP's four, the Patriots pulled out the win in the extra innings.
The Lady Braves will return to action on Saturday when the squad battles USC Aiken (24-11, 7-5) in a 2 p.m. contest in Aiken, S.C., at J.H. Satcher Field.