PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke softball team fell twice Saturday at LRA Field in the Campbell Oil/Minuteman Invitational presented by Sunoco, the first an 8-1 setback to Kutztown, followed by a 5-4 loss to Concord.

The Braves (1-2) hurt themselves against the Golden Bears of Kutztown (2-1), committing two errors and allowing six unearned runs.

UNCP got two quick outs in the first inning, but an error kept the inning alive, allowing Kutztown to take an early 4-0 lead. The Golden Bears extended their lead to 6-0 in the fourth after another Black & Gold miscue with two outs.

The Braves tacked on their lone run in the sixth, when Sierra Shipley, Whitney Jackson and Jamie Johnson all singled, the last plating Shipley. 

UNCP hurler Katie Saunders gave up her only two earned runs in the seventh, tossing her second-consecutive complete game to start the season. She allowed ten hits and two walks on 111 pitches, while striking out three Golden Bears. Saunders is now 1-1 this season with a 1.00 ERA.

Jackson and Shipley both notched two hits, going a combined 4-for-6 at the dish. Shipley and Abbey Walters were the only other Braves to reach base via hit.

The Braves' second game of the day saw them down 1-0 in the first frame, but the Black & Gold responded, taking a 2-1 lead of their own in the bottom half. Kutztown scored the next three runs to stake a 4-2 advantage after two and half. 

Morgan Davis led off the bottom of the third with a single up the middle and was replaced at first when Johnson hit into a fielder's choice. After Johnson's second stolen base of the season, Peach Belt Conference preseason all-conference selection Taylor Gerhart deposited a ball just inside the left-field foul pole for her firs home run of the season, knotting the game at four. 

Another unearned run proved to be the difference in the top of the seventh, when Concord plated the winning run on a Braves error to claim the 5-4 victory. 

Freshman Taylor Strickland threw a complete game in her first-career start, surrendering four earned runs and nine hits in a losing effort. She struck out four and walked seven. 

Gerhart finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored, while Davis tacked on two hits and a run. Jackson tallied the Braves' fifth and final hit and scored a run. 

The Braves will wrap up the Campbell Oil/Minuteman Invitational presented by Sunoco Sunday, pending inclement weather. UNCP is scheduled to battle Concord at 11 a.m. Stay tuned to uncpbraves.com for updates.