Box Scores (Game 1 | Game 2)
GAFFNEY, S.C. – After scoring 42 runs in its previous 15 innings, the UNC Pembroke softball team managed just seven in 14 innings of action Sunday, as the Braves dropped a pair of games to Limestone, 4-3 and 10-4 at Babe Ruth Field.
The two setbacks give the Braves (7-4) back-to-back losses for the first time this season, while the Saints (8-2) improve to 12-0 all-time against UNCP and snap a short, two-game losing streak after a pair of losses Saturday.
The Black & Gold dug itself a hole in the opening game, as Limestone scored four runs on three hits and three walks in the third inning to grab a 4-0 lead.
Jamie Johnson led off the UNCP fifth with a single, stole second and scampered home on an
Abbey Walters single to cut the deficit to three. After
Alex Watkins singles,
Taylor Gerhart dropped a perfect squeeze bunt to plate Walters and pull the Braves within two.
A Saint miscue allowed the third UNCP run to score before
Eden Brown walked to load the bases with two outs. A fly out ended the Black & Gold threat and left another three runners on for the guests, who left 10 on base in the game, including five in the first two innings.
Walters was the lone Braves with multiple hits, as she went 2-for-3 at the dish with a double and a walk. Walters swiped one base, while Johnson stole a pair on two attempts.
Walters (4-1) took her first loss of the season in the circle after allowing four runs (three earned) in 2.1 innings of work. She struck out three and walked two.
Taylor Strickland tossed 3.2 scoreless innings in relief and allowed just one hit to lower her season ERA to 0.89.
After another successful squeeze to plate Johnson in the first inning of game two, the Braves found themselves down big again after the Saints' first at-bat. Limestone plated six runs on five hits in the opening frame to stake claim to a 6-1 lead it never surrendered.
Jessica Auld led off the UNCP second with a double and came around to score when
Kaitlynn Norton ripped a two-out double down the left field line. Norton then crossed the plate on a Limestone error to make the score 6-3.
The Saints tacked on one run in the second and a pair in the third to extend the advantage to 9-3 before each side added a tally in the sixth. The Black & Gold run came on a Watkins single that pushed Walters home after she singled and stole second.
Malerie Leviner (0-3) made her third start of the season and surrendered seven runs on six hits in just 1.1 innings of work. The freshman walked two and struck out one Saint. Fellow freshman
Maddie Armfield tossed the final 4.2 innings and saw three runs cross on her watch.
Five Braves had one hit each, while Walters stole two more bases and Johnson swiped one.
The Braves will enjoy a week off before returning to action Feb. 19 at home against Elizabeth City State. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for noon at LRA Field. The twinbill will mark the first action of the season for the Vikings (0-0) and the first ever meeting between UNCP and Elizabeth City State.
