PEMBROKE – Highlighted by a 5-for-9 effort from junior Abbey Walters, the UNC Pembroke softball team put together 21 hits over two games Wednesday, sweeping St. Andrews by scores of 9-3 and 7-4 at LRA Field.
The Braves jump back over the .500 mark, improving to 8-7-1 with the victories, while the Knights have now dropped seven of their last eight and sit at 4-15 this season.
UNCP found themselves down early in game one when St. Andrews rattled off three runs on as many hits in their first at bat. But the Braves returned the favor, scoring three of their own in their half of the first. After a leadoff walk, Jamie Johnson swiped second and moved to third on a groundout. Following another groundout, Toni Nelson walked and the Knights' pitcher was called for an illegal pitch on ball four, plating Johnson. Savannah Melvin then plated Nelson on a triple to right and subsequently scored when Haleigh Epperson doubled to right center.
The Black & Gold would tack on a single run in each of the next three innings before exploding for another three-spot in the fifth. Morgan Davis drew a base on balls and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Lexie Coxe. Jessie Mangum entered as a pinch runner and scored when Walters singled to right. Nelson brought home Walters on a single and the ninth unanswered run scored when Epperson drew a bases-loaded walk.
Freshman Taylor Strickland got the start in the circle for UNCP, going the first two innings. She allowed three runs on five hits. Katie Saunders took over in inning three, tossing five shutout innings in relief to record her fourth win of the season. The senior surrendered just three hits, while striking out one and walking four.
Gerhart recorded a team-best three hits in game one, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Walters and Melvin both notched a pair of knocks, while four other Braves contributed on hit to the 11-hit effort. Walters and Epperson both drove in two runs and Walters scored once. Nelson was 1-for-2 with an RBI, a run scored and two walks to her credit.
The hits kept coming in game two for UNCP, this time recording 10 knocks, leading to seven runs. The Braves opened the scoring in the first on a Melvin single that drove home Walters after she doubled to left.
After a scoreless second for both squads, the Knights knotted the game at 1-1 with a tally in the third. The tie would not last long, as the Braves plated four runs in the fourth to grab a 5-1 advantage. Johnson got the scoring started with a two-RBI single up the middle and was followed by a Walters RBI single. Johnson then scored from third on her team-best 11th stolen base of the season, executing a perfect double steal as Walters swiped second. Johnson's 11 steals are fourth in the Peach Belt Conference.
The Braves tacked on single runs in the fifth and sixth, the first coming on an RBI knock from Davis. UNCP's seventh run crossed on a St. Andrews error, their second of the game. The Knights scored one run in the sixth and two more in the seventh, but couldn't complete the comeback.
Saunders took the ball for game two, going the first four innings and improving her record to 5-4. She allowed one run on four hits and struck out three Knights, while walking just one. Walters threw the final three innings to notch her first save of the season. She conceded three runs (two earned) and four hits.
Walters was 3-for-4 with two doubles at the dish, adding an RBI and a run scored. Her two-game effort was 5-for-9, three runs batted in, three runs scored, two doubles and three stolen bases. Walters now leads the team with a .441 batting average, good for a tie for eighth in conference. She is hitting .562 over the last four games with six RBIs, four doubles and three stolen bases.
Melvin produced a 2-for-4 effort with an RBI in game two, running her twinbill total to 4-for-7 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a triple. Davis was 2-for-3 in the second contest, adding an RBI and a run scored.
The Braves were without centerfielder Whitney Jackson for both games Wednesday. Jackson is third on the team with a .375 batting average and a .434 on-base percentage.
"Whitney was out due to an illness today," head coach Brittany Bennett said. "We definitely missed her presence in centerfield and at the top of the order. She means so much to this team and I can't wait to have her back Friday."
UNCP will open conference play Friday with a trip to Greenwood, South Carolina for a doubleheader with Lander. The Bearcats are 9-7 this season and hold a 35-19 series advantage over the Braves, but the squads split the two meetings last season. Friday is the conference opener for both UNCP and Lander and first pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Doug Spears Field.
