Box Scores (Game 1 | Game 2)

PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke softball team committed eight errors Sunday in a doubleheader against Peach Belt Conference (PBC) foe Young Harris to overshadow gritty pitching performances from Abbey Walters and Maddie Armfield in 4-0 and 8-0 setbacks to the Mountain Lions.
 
The Braves (17-18, 2-10 PBC) have now dropped 14 straight since starting the season 17-4, which marks the longest losing streak since the Black & Gold fell in 15-consecutive outings in 2002. Sunday's shutouts are the fifth and sixth of the year for UNCP, all coming in the midst of the losing skid that dates back to March 5.
 
Young Harris (21-7, 3-5 PBC) was just 5-7 in its last 12 games entering Sunday after starting the campaign a perfect 14-0. The Mountain Lions have now shutout their opponent eight times in 21 victories.
 
In the opener, Walters (9-6) did not allow an earned run in 6.2 innings to mark the second time in her last three starts the senior has suffered a loss without an earned run to her credit. She fanned two and surrendered just five hits, but four Brave errors and a passed ball led to Young Harris scoring a run apiece in the first, third, fourth and seventh innings.
 
UNCP left 10 runners on in game one, including three in the last at-bat. The Braves loaded the bases with one out to bring the tying run to the plate but a strikeout and fly out ended the threat. A Brave was left on base in all innings except the fourth.
 
A hard-fought battle in the day's second affair was blown open in the fifth when the visitors struck for seven runs on five hits and four UNCP miscues to extend what was just a 1-0 lead out to 8-0.
 
Jamie Johnson was a perfect 3-for-3 in game two and swiped a pair of bags from the leadoff spot. Her 23 steals are good for second most in the PBC. Jessica Auld went 1-for-2 with her fifth double of the season and Alex Watkins accounted for the fifth and final hit in a 1-for-2 outing.
 
Maddie Armfield (1-3) tossed the first four innings in the circle and allowed just two earned runs, while striking out three Mountain Lions. Six of the eight Young Harris runs went down as unearned. Malerie Leviner pitched the final innings and surrendered an unearned run and a pair of singles.  
 
The Black & Gold will have the luxury of five days off before opening up a six-game road trip Saturday with a twinbill against Armstrong State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Pirate Softball Field in Savannah, Georgia. The Pirates (17-6, 7-1 PBC) sit atop the league standings and are winners of 10 of their last 11 games. UNCP's win over Armstrong State last season snapped a 17-game losing skid to the Pirates, who lead the all-time series 36-5.