PEMBROKE – After tallying six hits over the first six innings, the UNC Pembroke softball team put together three base knocks in a row in the final frame, plating the game-winning run in a 1-0 win over Kutztown Friday night in the Campbell/Minuteman Invitational presented by Sunoco at LRA Field.

The timely hit escaped the Braves (1-0) for their first 18 outs, as they left 10 runners on base before a clutch seventh inning. Morgan Davis reached on an error to lead off the frame, followed by a foul out to right to send Taylor Gerhart to plate for the Black & Gold. 

Gerhart laid down a perfect bunt single to put runners at first and second before Savannah Melvin loaded the bases with a single of her own. That left hero duties to Abbey Walters, who delivered a walk-off single through the left side, plating Davis.

Katie Saunders, now 1-0, dazzled in the circle for UNCP, tossing a complete-game shutout on 77 pitches. She sat down four Kutztown (0-1) batters via strikeout, while surrendering three hits and two walks. 

Golden Bear pitcher Savannah Nierintz did her part on the rubber, allowing just the one unearned run in 6.1 innings, while striking out two. The Braves rattled off nine hits against the Kutztown hurler, also drawing four walks. The Kutztown defense did not hold up their end of the bargain, committing three errors behind Nierintz, one of which led to the winning run. 

Walters added two more hits to her walk-off single, going 3-for-4 at the plate with the lone RBI. Melvin went 2-for-3 and drew a base on balls, while four other Braves each registered a hit. 

UNCP will continue the Campbell/Minuteman Invitational presented by Sunoco tomorrow with games at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at LRA Field against Kutztown and Concord, respectively. The Golden Bears will take on Winston-Salem State at 12:30 p.m. and Winston-Salem State will battle Concord at 4:30 p.m.

Live stats and box scores are available on the tournament website, located here.