NEWARK, Delaware – Freshman
Sarah Davis (Walter Williams H.S./Burlington, N.C.) registered two hits, including a double, and scored two runs to lead UNCW (14-12, 1-4) to a split of a Colonial Athletic Association doubleheader against Delaware (15-11, 2-2) at the UD Softball Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Seahawks, who have won three of their last four games following a seven-game losing streak, dropped the opener by a 3-2 margin before claiming a 4-1 victory in the nightcap.
In addition to her offensive effort against the Blue Hens, Davis earned the win in the circle during the second game. While upping her record to 6-4, she allowed one unearned run while scattering five hits with eight strikeouts.
Sophomore infielder
Nella Chamblee (Corinth Holders H.S./Wendell, N.C.) also contributed two hits in the doubleheader for the Seahawks while five other players recorded a hit.
Senior utility player
Heather Oakley (Orland H.S./Orland, Calif.) led Delaware with three hits while sophomore infielder
Sarah Bencivenga (Toms River East H.S./Toms River, N.J.) drove in all three of the Blue Hens' runs during their 3-2 victory. Â Â Â Â
How It Happened – Game 1: The Seahawks took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Davis led off the game with a double and scored on a throwing error before sophomore
Merritt Wilkinson (Western Alamance H.S./Burlington, N.C.) tallied the second run on another Delaware error. Bencivenga tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning with a triple to right center field before giving Delaware a one-run edge in the bottom of the fifth inning on a sacrifice bunt with two outs. Â
How It Happened – Game 2: Freshman
Abby Harris (Jack Britt H.S./Fayetteville, N.C.) gave UNCW a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with an RBI double to left field. After a sacrifice fly by Wilkinson upped the advantage to 2-0 in the third inning, the Seahawks added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning for a 4-0 edge. The Blue Hens ended the shutout bid in the bottom of the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly by freshman
Leanna Gearhart (Robbinsville H.S./Robbinsville, N.J.), but was unable to get any closer.
Inside the Box Score: UNCW was just 2-for-20 with runners in scoring position … Delaware was 1-for-10 in those situations … The Seahawks' lead-off hitter hit safely in 4 of 14 innings … The two teams combined to post a .218 batting average (22-for-101) in the doubleheader. Â
Coach Kristy Norton Says: "Our pitching staff competed all day and our hitters finally started pushing runners across. We had some clutch hits off the bench by
Brittanne Gasser and
Claudia Spinelli that helped us late in the second game."
What's Ahead for UNCW: The Seahawks and the Blue Hens will play the final game of their three-game CAA series on Sunday afternoon with first pitch slated for 12:00 p.m.
