WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Junior pitcher
Darian Roberts (Pamlico County H.S./Arapahoe, N.C.) had five hits and drove in five runs as UNCW (6-3) swept a pair of games at the Seahawk Softball Spring Classic at Boseman Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Seahawks, who improved to 5-1 at home this year, overcame a 5-0 deficit against Marist to earn a 9-5 victory over the Red Foxes before claiming a 4-1 triumph against Western Carolina.
Roberts posted three hits and drove in three runs in the first game against the Red Foxes before going 2-for-3 with two runs batted in against the Catamounts.
Meanwhile, freshman pitcher
Sarah Davis (Walter Williams H.S./Burlington, N.C.) added four hits and three runs batted in while earning her first career save in the circle. She had two hits with three runs batted in against the Red Foxes before throwing two innings to earn the save in the victory over Western Carolina while going 2-for-4 at the plate.
Senior infielder
Kristen Jernigan (South Johnston H.S./Benson, N.C.) and sophomore
Nella Chamblee (Corinth Holders H.S./Wendell, N.C.) each added three hits in the doubleheader sweep. Jernigan also drove in three runs during the win over Marist.
How It Happened vs. Marist: The Red Foxes erupted for five runs on three hits in the second inning before the Seahawks trimmed the deficit in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI single by
Kristen Jernigan. UNCW tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning by scoring four runs, including a two-run double by Davis. The Seahawks took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, including a three-run double by Roberts.
How It Happened vs. Western Carolina: The Catamounts took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI single by
Victoria Mariscal. UNCW answered with two runs in the bottom of the third inning before taking the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on RBI singles by Roberts and sophomore
Claudia Spinelli (Marvin Ridge H.S./Waxhaw, N.C.).
Notes of Interest: The Seahawks had just two extra base hits in their two games … Davis and Roberts each tallied a double in the win over Marist … UNCW hit 10-for-32 with runners in scoring position during the two games … Davis has now reached base in six straight games … Marist and Western Carolina combined to leave 16 runners on base against the Seahawks … Jernigan, Davis and Roberts combined to hit 7-for-9 with 9 runs batted in … The Seahawks allowed just one hit against Western Carolina in the second game, marking the first one-hitter by UNCW since Apr. 25, 2013 against North Carolina Central ... UNCW improved to 3-0 at the Seahawk Softball Spring Classic this weekend.
Coach Norton Says: "I was pleased with how our team responded today to our game plan. We made some adjustments with our mindset at the plate and it resulted in 21 hits and 13 runs. Our pitchers also kept us in the games and Casey dominated, which helped us to a great win tonight against Western Carolina."
What's Ahead for UNCW: UNCW completes play at the Seahawk Softball Spring Classic with a pair of games on Sunday. The Seahawks will face Marist at 12 p.m. before closing out the tournament with a game against North Carolina A&T at approximately 2:30 p.m.
