Wilmington, N.C. – Emily Bartlett keyed a three-run rally in the top of the sixth inning with a two-out, two-run homer as Furman claimed a 6-5 victory over UNCW in game two and a doubleheader split with the Seahawks Saturday afternoon at Boseman Field in Wilmington, N.C. UNCW claimed a 10-2 decision in game one.
Game 1: UNCW 10, Furman 2 (5 inn.)
In the series opener, UNCW exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the first inning and cruised to a 10-2, five-inning victory over the Paladins.
After an error and a single set the table for the Seahawks in the first, Janel Gamache homered to left field to stake the home team to a 3-0 lead. UNCW loaded the bases later in the inning and scored runs on a fielder's choice and sacrifice fly before Gabriella Hessenthaler drove in two runs with a two-out single to center field.
Furman answered with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning.
Claire Ginder and
Riley Ludlam singled and
Mackense Greico walked to load the bases with one out.
Kaitlyn Laudick forced the first run in with a bases loaded walk and Ludlam sprinted home when
Ashlee Lykins reached on an error to trim the deficit to 7-2.
The Seahawks, however, scored one run off of a Paladin error in the bottom of the inning and triggered the mercy rule on Jada Santiago's two-run double in the bottom of the fifth.
Logan Bjorson (2-0) worked two innings of relief to earn the victory for the Seahawks. She allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits while issuing two walks. Hessenthaler and Santiago each collected two hits and drove in two runs to pace UNCW.
Starter
Sierra Tufts (3-6) suffered the loss after allowing seven runs on seven hits in just two-thirds of an inning. Only three of the seven runs scored of Tufts were earned.
Ludlam went 1-for-2 with a base hit and walk to lead the Furman offense.
Game 2: Furman 6, UNCW 5
In game two of the afternoon, freshman
Shelby Basso went 2-for-3 at the plate and tossed a complete-game as the Paladins rallied to claim a 6-5 victory and even the series.
Trailing 5-3 in the top of the sixth inning with two outs and a runner at second base, Laudick reached base on a fielding error by the Seahawks' second baseman that allowed
Chloe Fabio to score from second. Bartlett followed by belting the first pitch she saw over the right field wall to give Furman a 6-5 lead.
Basso (1-3) worked around a pair of one-out singles in both the sixth and seventh innings to preserve the lead and shut the door on UNCW. She allowed just one earned run on 10 hits over seven innings to secure her first collegiate victory.
After Furman had taken a 1-0 lead in the first on Greico's RBI double, UNCW scored two in the bottom of the frame. Furman answered in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Lykins and took the lead on a two-out error, but the Seahawks responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and another in the fifth.
Amberlyn Pearce took the loss for UNCW after allowing six runs on five hits over six innings. She ealked five batters and struck out eight.
Laudick and Fabio each scored two runs as Furman took advantage of eight walks.
The Paladins (5-12) and Seahawks (3-12) play the rubber game of their three-game weekend series on Sunday at Boseman Field. First pitch is set for noon. The series finale will be streamed for a subscription fee on FloSports.com. Live statistics will also be available through StatBroadcast.
