HICKORY – The Lenoir-Rhyne softball team logged four doubles and four home runs and limited the UNC Pembroke softball team to 10 hits across two games on the way to a non-conference sweep over the Braves on Wednesday afternoon at Bears Field. 
 
UNCP tallied eight hits in the opening contest, but a three-run fourth inning helped LR to a 5-2 victory. The Braves were held to just two hits in the back half of the doubleheader as the Bears won 9-0 in six innings.


 
 

DOUBLEHEADER SUMMARY
GAME 1 FINAL	Lenoir-Rhyne 5, UNC Pembroke 2
PITCHERS	WP: Lauren Rakes (1-1)    LP: Summer Bullard (0-4)
GAME 2 FINAL	Lenoir-Rhyne 9, UNC Pembroke 0 (6 Innings)
PITCHERS	WP: Madison Wilson (1-0) LP:Kinsley Sheppard (1-2)
RECORDS	UNC Pembroke (2-6), Lenoir-Rhyne (3-1)

KEY INNINGS (GAME 1)
TOP 6	Kynley Brewer started the game with a lead off double to left center field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Marijo Wilkes. Brewer scored on a ground out from Jai Deese.
TOP 4	Emma Eckhart lit up the scoreboard with a homer over the center field fence.
BOT 4	Lenoir-Rhyne put runners on first and second after back-to-back walks. Both runners advanced 60 feet after a wild pitch, but Abbey Nixon cleared the bases with a single to center field. Nixon stole second and then moved to third on a ground out and would eventually score on a wild pitch.
KEY INNINGS (GAME 2)
BOT 2	Lauren Rakes drew a six-pitch walk, but Lora Beth Woods sent the second pitch of the at bat out of the park for a two-run homer.
BOT 3	Lauren Rakes singled up the middle to start a two out rally, but Lora Beth Woods sent another one out of the park to give the Bears a 5-0 lead.

UNCP LEADERS (GAME 1)	LR LEADERS (GAME 1)
Kynley Brewer 2-3, 2B MaKenna Sibbett 2-4 Emma Eckhart 1-3, HR, RBI Summer Bullard 4.0 IP, 7K	Abbey Nixon 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI Lani Warren 1-3, 2B, RBI Lauren Rakes 4.2 IP, 9K
UNCP LEADERS (GAME 2)	LR LEADERS (GAME 2)
Chloe Locklear 1-2 Chloe Hunsinger 1-2	Lora Beth Wood 3-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI Julia Mardigian 1-4, HR, 3 RBI Madison Wilson 6.0 IP, 6K

 

UP NEXT

The Braves will be back in action on Feb. 16, when they trek to Dahlonega, Ga., for the North Georgia Leadoff Classic. The Black & Gold will face host North Georgia on Friday at 2 p.m. at the Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium.

 

STAY CONNECTED

Follow UNCP Softball on Twitter and Instagram at @UNCP_Softball and "Like" UNC Pembroke Softball on Facebook.

 

BACK THE BRAVES

Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Softball program by joining the Braves Club, or by making a gift directly to the program. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu. To make a monetary gift, visit UNCPBraves.com/Give and indicate "softball team" in notes section.