Box Scores (Game 1 | Game 2)
PEMBROKE – Visiting Chowan erased a three-run deficit in the seventh inning of game two to grab a one-run lead, but the UNC Pembroke softball squad dug deep and plated a run apiece in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings to pick up its first extra-inning victory in five tries this season despite twice being down to its final out. The Hawks took game one by a 5-1 final on a picture perfect day in Pembroke.
The Braves (25-26) wrap up the 2017 campaign with a 13-14 record at LRA Field and improve to 11-1 all-time against Chowan (29-17) at home. The Hawks saw their 10-game winning streak snapped in the game two setback and run their non-conference record to 18-16 with the split.
Wednesday's marathon game two matched the longest game in terms of innings at LRA Field since a 10-inning affair March 24, 2004 against Presbyterian.
With the Black & Gold up 3-0 with two outs in the seventh, the guests strung together three-consecutive hits, two singles and a double, to put a four spot on the board and take a 4-3 lead. In the bottom half of the seventh, it was the Braves down to their final out before
Jamie Johnson sent a 2-out single to right center to force extra innings.
Chowan scratched across a run in the eighth and once again the hosts found themselves down to the final out. This time it was
Toni Nelson who played hero, as the catcher beat out an infield single to plate the tying run and extend the game.
On in relief, freshman pitcher
Malerie Leviner held the Hawks scoreless in the top of the ninth to set up the fireworks in the latter half. With two outs and Braves on second and third, Johnson skied a ball to center that clanged off the base of the wall and allowed pinch runner
Bailey Hoch to trot home and score the winning run.
Johnson's walk off hit capped a 3-for-5 performance at the plate in which the junior drove home two runs, scored once and swiped two bases. Her .421 batting average is now tops among Braves and she has a team-best 10 three-hit games.
Rendi Wetherington picked up her fourth three-hit outing in a 3-for-4 showing, while
Taylor Gerhart and
Alex Watkins each tacked on a pair of hits.
Leviner (8-11) got the win out of the bullpen by tossing the final 1.2 innings and retiring all five batters she faced. UNCP starter was cruising into the seventh inning before allowing five runs on three hits. The freshman needed just 57 pitches through six scoreless innings.
In game one, the Hawks plated single runs in the first, third and fourth to stake claim to a 3-0 lead and added two more in the fifth after the Braves clawed across their lone run in the fourth. Wetherington drew a lead-off walk, stole second and third and scampered home on a Johnson squeeze bunt.
Chowan starter Kayla Robins lowered her season ERA to 1.04 in the victory, while striking out nine and surrendering just three hits.
Abbey Walters (12-10) made the start for UNCP and tossed the first 4.2 innings. The senior allowed four earned runs and struck out three Hawks.
Eden Brown went 2-for-3 at the dish for the Black & Gold and Wetherington turned in a 1-for-2 effort with a walk.
The Braves' 2017 season culminates with a Friday Peach Belt Conference doubleheader at Montevallo. First pitch is set for noon eastern at the Softball Stadium at Orr Park. The Falcons (20-20, 9-10 PBC) and Braves have met just four times, with the home side each sweeping a twinbill in 2015 and 2016.
