PEMBROKE – After visiting Francis Marion plated three runs in the top of the seventh to knot the game at 5-5, sophomore Taylor Gerhart sent a one-out solo shot over the center-field wall to push the UNC Pembroke softball team past the Patriots in game one of Wednesday's Peach Belt Conference doubleheader at LRA Field. Francis Marion won the second contest, 8-4.
The split puts the Braves at 12-9-1, 3-1 PBC and into a tie for third in the conference standings. Francis Marion is now 18-8, 3-3 PBC and sits sixth in the league race.\
In game one, both squads tallied one hit each in innings one and two, but could not plate a run. The Patriots fired the opening shot, a run in the top of the third to grab a 1-0 lead.
UNCP wasted no time responding, tying the game 1-1 in the bottom half when Jamie Johnson and Whitney Jackson ripped back-to-back doubles to right center. The Black & Gold took its first lead an inning later on a leadoff, solo home run off the bat of Gerhart, her third of the season.
Francis Marion brought the score even again in the fifth at 2-2, plating a run on a groundout, but the Braves were quick to grab another lead in their half of the inning. Following singles from Abbey Walters and Gerhart, catcher Toni Nelson doubled to left, her third hit of the game, scoring both runners.
In the latter half of the sixth, UNCP tacked on an important insurance run, stretching the lead to 5-2. Carleigh Brooks was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a groundout and scored on a Johnson double, her third of the game.
Down to their final two outs, Francis Marion got a clutch three-run home run from Mykah Nevin. That set the stage for Gerhart's walk-off home run, her second of the game and team-best fourth of the season.
Gerhart, Nelson and Johnson all recorded three hits in the victory and combined for five RBIs and four runs scored amongst them. Nelson was a perfect 3-for-3, while Gerhart and Johnson were both 3-for-4. Walters added two hits to the effort.
Senior Katie Saunders (7-5) notched her eighth complete game in the circle for UNCP, allowing five runs on 10 hits. She struck out six and walked two on 109 pitches.
Ten hits were not enough for the Braves in game two, as they allowed four unearned runs in the setback.
The Patriots once again scored first, this time in the opening frame to stake claim to a 1-0 advantage. UNCP grabbed the lead back in the bottom half on an RBI single from Walters and an RBI double from Nelson.
The game would remain 2-1 until the fifth when Francis Marion retook the lead 3-2 on two unearned runs. The Patriots added two more tallies in the sixth to lead 5-2.
The Black & Gold cut the deficit to 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out rally, culminating in a Jackson RBI single followed by a Walters RBI triple. Francis Marion grabbed three insurance runs in the seventh and UNCP could not rally in their last at-bat.
Walters (3-2) took the tough-luck loss, tossing all seven innings in the circle, surrendering four earned runs on 10 hits. She struck out five Patriots and did not allow a walk.
Walters went 3-for-4 at the dish in game two, raising her team-best batting average to .488, good for third in the conference. Johnson produced a 2-for-3 effort and has now reached base in 18 consecutive games, dating back to Feb. 10. Walters swiped two bases and Johnson snagged one, bringing both of their season totals to 13, tied for fourth in the PBC.
The Braves hit the road for a 10-game road trip, including eight conference contests. The first of five road doubleheaders is Saturday at Columbus State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Cougar Field. The Cougars lead the all-time series 32-16, but UNCP won both games last season in Pembroke.
