RELATED: Softball Rallies Late To Thwart Chowan

PEMBROKE – Senior Brea Hartley punched out a pair of home runs in the first and fifth innings to drive in six RBI as she scored three times to give the UNC Pembroke softball team the lead in both innings as the Braves swept the visiting Chowan Hawks with an 8-5 victory in the final game of the twinbill on Wednesday afternoon at LRA Field.

The Braves (14-7) clinched their third-straight victory in this season as Chowan (5-7) dropped its third-consecutive contest.

Hartley hit 1.000 throughout the contest, while freshman Jamie Johnson went 2-for-3 with two runs as Whitney Jackson and Karlee Wilson each posted a run apiece. Freshman Toni Nelson, Jackson and Kaytee Wilson crossed home plate, as well for UNCP.

Leadoff hitter Tina White went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Tori Cragan tallied two hits and two runs. The Hawks out-hit the Braves 10-8 with Danielle Baccus and Katlyn Brummett registering a pair of hits each with Kris Neal scoring twice.

Sophomore Dakota Leviner (1-1) grabbed the win after throwing 100 pitches in her five innings, before junior Katie Saunders earned the save as she held the Hawks scoreless in the two final innings. Leviner allowed five runs (one earned) on five hits with four strikeouts, while Saunders logged one strikeout in seven batters faced.

Both Courtney Groce (0-4) and Alora Lincoln spent time in the middle for Chowan as Groce allowed seven earned runs on four hits, while Lincoln finished out contest with 1-2/3 innings and one earned run on two hits.

Chowan started the scoring campaign first as the Hawks put one run on the board, however, the lead would not last long as Kaytee Wilson walked, Johnson reached on a single and Harltey knocked her pitch over the left field fence to drive in three runs and give UNCP the lead.

The Hawks added another run in the second and two in the fourth before Hartley and Nelson reached on walks and were sent home on a fielder's choice and a sacrifice bunt to regain the 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fourth.

Despite anther tied score in the fifth inning with Chowan brining home it's final run, Hartley opened up the lead with another homer as Jackson and Johnson, who reached on singles, were driven home for the 8-5 victory.

The Braves will return to Peach Belt Conference action on Sunday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader against North Georgia (18-4, 0-0 PBC) in Pembroke at LRA Field.