PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke softball team scored runs in five innings and had eight different players log a hit on the way to an exciting 12-11 victory over West Virginia State for the opening day of the UNCP Invitational on Friday evening at the UNCP Softball Field.
 
The Braves (1-0) finished the night with five doubles and a pair of homers to help head coach Stephanie Graziani pick up her first win at the helm of the program. The Yellow Jackets (0-1) fall to 3-6 when playing the Black & Gold. 



 

DOUBLEHEADER SUMMARY
GAME 1 FINAL	UNC Pembroke 12, West Virginia State 11
PITCHERS	WP: Trinity Whitfield (1-0)   LP: Kasey Murphy (1-0)
RECORDS	UNC Pembroke 1-0, West Virginia State 0-1

KEY INNINGS
BOT 3	UNCP put runners on first and second after Marijo Wilkes singled to center field and Samantha Allred drew a walk. Lauren Hilbourn smacked a double into the right field gap to score Wilkes and advance Allred to third. The Braves loaded the bases after a walk from Oliva Hall, but Mackenzie Collins knocked a single to the outfield grass to score two more runs. Summer Bullard also found the outfield grass with an RBI single up the middle to put the hosts on top 5-2.
TOP 6	Emma Pauley drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Kerigan Moore double to right center field to score Pauley. An ill-timed throw error followed by two singles through the infield capped off a four-run inning to give the Yellow Jackets an 8-7 advantage.
TOP 7	West Virginia State put runners on second and third after a fielding error and a single. Emele Clark knocked a double through the right side to plate a run, followed by a UNCP throwing error and a deep sacrifice fly to put WVSU ahead 11-8.
BOT 7	Emily Rose got the offense going with a big double in the outfield grass. Kadence Sheppard and Marijo Wilkes each crushed doubles to left field, with Wilkes driving in Rose. Samantha Allred's single to the right side drove in Wilkes to knot the score at 11 apiece. Lauren Hilbourn drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Hilbourn's delayed steal triggered a rundown that allowed Allred to score from second for the game.

UNCP LEADERS	WVSU LEADERS
Olivia Hall 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB Samantha Allred 3-4, HR, 2 RBI Lauren Hilbourn 3-4, 2B, RBI Summer Bullard 5.0 IP, 4K	Emele Clark 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI Kasey Murphy 3-5, 2 RBI Addi Dillow 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI

 

UP NEXT

The Braves will be back in action on Sunday and will play Tusculum as part of the UNCP Invitational. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at the UNCP Softball Field. Admission is free to all home UNCP Softball games.

 

STAY CONNECTED

Follow UNCP Softball on Twitter and Instagram at @UNCP_Softball and send a friend request to UNCP Softball on Facebook.

 

BACK THE BRAVES

Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Softball program by joining the Braves Club. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu.