Box Scores (Wingate | Catawba)
DUNCAN, S.C. – After outscoring opponents 63-3 in its last four games, the UNC Pembroke softball team proved more than capable of handling the pressure of close games Sunday, as the Braves held off Wingate 2-1 before doing the same in a 4-2 victory over Catawba on the final day of the Mid-South Classic at Tyger River Park.
The Braves (13-4) have now won six-straight games overall and 13 of their first 17 for the first time since the 2008 Peach Belt Conference (PBC) championship squad. UNCP joins Limestone and Lenoir-Rhyne as the only undefeated clubs among the 12 competing teams at this year's Mid-South Classic. Wingate (10-10) went 3-1 this weekend, while Catawba (6-15) went 1-3 in Duncan.
A pair of first-inning runs did the trick for the Black & Gold against Wingate, as
Abbey Walters doubled home
Jamie Johnson and then scored on an error to complete the UNCP scoring.
Wingate scratched across its only run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single. The Bulldogs put the tying run on second with one out in the seventh, but a fly out and a groundout closed the door.
Walters (7-1) delivered a gem in the circle for her fifth complete game of the season. The senior surrendered just three hits and fanned six bulldogs.
Haleigh Epperson and
Taylor Gerhart each went 1-for-3 at the plate with a single.
UNCP once again jumped out to a lead in its first at-bat against Catawba and forced the Indians to make a pitching change just three batters into the game. Johnson led off the game with a solo home run to center field, her second long ball of the season.
Gerhart drove home Epperson with a single and Walters came home on a wild pitch to make it 3-0 Braves after a half inning.
Catawba pulled with one with an unearned run in the third, but the Black & Gold responded with a run in the fourth on an RBI single from Walters.
Another infield single plated the Indians' second run in the sixth, but
Malerie Leviner stranded two runners in both the sixth and seventh to preserve the UNCP victory.
Leviner (3-3) took over in relief of
Taylor Strickland, who was forced to leave the game due to injury after tossing a scoreless first inning. The freshman hurled the final six innings and allowed just one earned run to lower her season ERA to 2.94.
Walters turned in a 3-for-4 performance in the day's second game, while Johnson and Gerhart each chipped in a pair of hits. Walters and Gerhart each stole a base, while Epperson drew the Braves' only walk.
The Black & Gold returns to action Wednesday with a road trip to nearby Laurinburg, North Carolina for a twinbill against St. Andrews. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at the Knights Softball Field. The Knights (6-10) have dropped the last 17 games to UNCP dating back to 2010.
