COLUMBIA, S.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball team dropped its opening two games of the 2024 season in a 6-5 loss to Virginia and an 8-4 setback to No. 23 South Carolina on Friday at Beckham Field.
Game 1:
Virginia got on the board first in the bottom of the second as Shelby Barbee crushed a two-run home run over the center field wall for a 2-0 advantage. The Cavaliers added another run in the bottom of the third on a sacrifice fly from Weaver, scoring Kelly Ayer from third, 3-0.
Virginia doubled its advantage in the bottom of the fourth off a RBI single, a sacrifice fly, and an RBI ground out, 6-0.
In the top of the fifth, the Spartans had runners on first and second with two outs.
Anna White took a 3-2 count and sent a long ball over the center field wall to cut the deficit to three, 6-3. With
Jorde Chartrand in the circle, the Cavaliers left one runner on base in the bottom of the frame.
UNCG capitalized on two hits and two walks in the top of sixth to come within one, 6-5.
Brooklynn Maxwell tripled to right center scoring
Jessie Shipley from first and then
Blayke Batten singled through the left side with runners on first and second for the second run of the inning. The Cavaliers stranded a runner on base in the bottom of the sixth and the Spartans were retired three-straight in the top of the seventh, as Virginia picked up its first win of the season, 6-5.
Records:
UNCG: 0-1
Virginia: 1-0
Game 2:
Shipley crushed the Spartans' second home run of the season, a solo shot down the left field line in the top of the first for a 1-0 advantage.
South Carolina responded in the bottom of the second with an RBI double from Blankenship and an RBI single from Shelton for a 3-1 lead. The Gamecocks' offense continued to stay active through the third and fourth innings, climbing their way to a 7-1 advantage.
On a 1-2 count in the top of the sixth,
Grace Loftin cranked the ball over the left field wall, cutting the deficit to three, 7-4. Maxwell had walked to lead off the frame and Shipley had moved her over to second on a single to center field.
The Gamecocks added one more run in the bottom of the sixth on Warren's sacrifice fly to left field with the bases loaded, 8-4. The Spartans were retired in the top of the seventh to five South Carolina its first win of the 2024 season.
Records:
UNCG: 0-2
South Carolina: 1-0
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UP NEXT
UNCG continues the Carolina Classic with two games on Saturday, February 10. The Spartans will face Virginia tomorrow morning with a first pitch slated for 10:00 a.m. and will follow that game with a battle against Jacksonville State at 12:30 p.m. at Beckham Field.
