PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke softball team scored multiple runs in each of the first three innings to support a solid outing from newcomer Katie Saunders as the Braves mercy-ruled visiting Georgia Southwestern, 10-2 in five innings, in the second half of a Sunday afternoon doubleheader at LRA Field.

Four players registered 2-hit outings for UNCP (12-7, 2-2 PBC), including Megan Hillard who doubled and scored twice on a 2-for-3 day at the plate. Jamie Johnson and Carleigh Brooks both drove in a trio of runs on 2-for-3 showings, while Karlee Wilson singled twice on three trips to the plate. Kaytee Wilson turned in a pair of sac hits en route to a 1-for-1 hitting line.

Keri Tomkins singled three times in as many trips to the plate for Georgia Southwestern (1-5), while Erin Steele doubled and scored twice to key a 2-for-3 day for the Hurricanes as well.

Saunders (5-3) went the distance to grab the win for the hosts, striking out four while allowing just a pair of runs on nine hits. Savannah Carlisle (2-6) took the loss for the Hurricanes after surrendering 10 runs (two earned) on nine hits in just three innings from the circle.

A costly error with two outs in the bottom of the first opened the door for four unearned runs for the Braves, but UNCP had padded its lead out to 9-1 by the end of the third inning. The hosts would go on to add an insurance run on a RBI groundout by Brooks in the fourth.

The Hurricanes put together a fifth-inning rally to try to avoid the 8-run mercy rule, but could only muster a lone score off of Haley Warner's run-scoring single to centerfield.

The Braves will continue a 10-game home stand on Wednesday when they suit up to host a midweek non-conference doubleheader with Chowan (5-5). First pitch of the twinbill is slated for 4 p.m. and admission is free.