PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke softball team was held scoreless through the first five innings, but a stellar performance in the circle from Summer Bullard and a home run from Jai Deese in the bottom of the sixth inning gave the Braves a 2-1 victory over Barton on Friday at the UNCP Softball Field for American Indian Heritage Day. 
 
UNCP registered 11 hits, four of which were home runs, in game two and used a strong showing form Kinsley Sheppard in the circle to complete the sweep with an 11-2 outcome in five innings.
 
Graduate student Jai Deese finished the series with a home run in each game. The Pembroke native smacked a grand slam in the second game of the doubleheader to become the single season home run leader for the program. 

 

DOUBLEHEADER SUMMARY
GAME 1 FINAL	UNC Pembroke 2, Barton 1
PITCHERS	WP: Summer Bullard (8-10) LP: Miranda Holmes (15-8)
GAME 2 FINAL	UNC Pembroke 11, Barton 2 (5 Innings)
PITCHERS	WP: Kinsley Sheppard (8-9) LP: Ali Bunch (2-4)
RECORDS	UNC Pembroke 18-27, 9-9 CC Barton 20-20, 9-9 CC

KEY INNINGS (GAME 1)
TOP 4	Gracelynn Massey singled up the middle and advanced to second don a sacrifice bunt from Madison Mercer. An RBI triple from Mary Lindsey Harris gave Barton an early 1-0 lead.
BOT 6	Jai Deese knotted the score at 1-1 with a solo homer over the left field fence. Charlotte Rose singled up the middle and would score on a triple to the outfield gap from Summer Bullard.
KEY INNINGS (GAME 2)
BOT 2	Summer Bullard beat out an infield single, but Chloe Locklear lit up the scoreboard with a two-run homer over the center field fence. The Braves put runners on the corners with a fielder's choice from Marijo Wilkes and an infield single from Kynley Brewer. Jai Deese knocked a single through the middle to score Wilkes.
TOP 4	Gracelyn Massey put Barton on the board with a lead off homer over the left field fence.
BOT 4	UNC Pembroke loaded the bases with a trio of infield singles from Emma Eckhart, Marijo Wilkes and Kynley Brewer. Jai Deese smacked a grand slam over the left field fence to give UNCP an 8-1 lead. The Braves put runners on first and second after MaKenna Sibbett reached on a fielding error and Summer Bullard beat out an infield single, as Chloe Locklear sent one out of the park for a three-run blast to extend the hosts lead 11-1.

UNCP LEADERS (GAME 1)	BC LEADERS (GAME 1)
Jai Deese 1-2, HR, RBI Summer Bullard 1-3, 3B, RBI, 7.0 IP, 9K	Miranda Holmes 6.0 IP, 9K Mary Lindsey Harris 1-2, 3B, RBI
UNCP LEADERS (GAME 2)	BC LEADERS (GAME 2)
Jai Deese 2-3, HR, 5 RBI Chloe Locklear 2-3, 2 HR, 5 RBI MaKenna Sibbett 1-3, HR, RBI Kinsley Sheppard 5.0 IP, 6K	Gracelynn Massey 2-3, HR, 2 RBI Savannah Olson 1-2, 2B

 

UP NEXT

The Braves will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to face Mount Olive. First pitch of the twinbill is set for noon at Cassell Field.

 

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.