CHARLESTON, South Carolina – Sophomore
Claudia Spinelli (Marvin Ridge H.S./Waxhaw, N.C.) had two hits and drove in four runs to lead UNCW to a split of a Colonial Athletic Association doubleheader against the College of Charleston at Patriots Point on Sunday afternoon.
The Seahawks claimed a win in the opener by a 6-5 margin before Charleston rallied to earn the split with a 3-2 victory in the nightcap. UNCW improves to 19-24 overall and 5-13 in the CAA while Charleston moves its record to 24-26 overall with a 7-11 mark in conference play.
Spinelli led the Seahawks to the victory in the opener by going for 2-for-4 with a double while setting a season high with four runs batted in.
Sophomore
Peyton Jordan (Marvin Ridge H.S./Waxhaw, N.C.) earned the win in the circle in relief after throwing two scoreless innings. She did not allow a hit and recorded a strikeout while fashioning her eighth win of the season. However, Jordan suffered the loss in the nightcap after allowing three runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings.
Sophomore
Brianna Davis (Mauldin H.S./Simpsonville, S.C.) led the Cougars by posting three hits, including a home run in the second game, with two runs batted in and a run scored. Sophomore
Samantha Martin (Lawton Chiles H.S./Tallahassee, Fla.) earned the decision in the circle in both games, throwing 4.0 innings while allowing one run on one hit. She posted five strikeouts with two walks in improving her record to 11-11 this year. Â
How It Happened – Game 1: Charleston took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning before UNCW answered with three runs in the top of the third inning, including a two-run double by Spinelli. The Cougars tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the frame before the Seahawks answered with two more runs in the top of the fourth inning on a two-run single by Spinelli. After Charleston tied the game at 5-5, the Seahawks used a double steal and a subsequent throwing error in the top of the seventh inning to take a 6-5 lead they did not relinquish.
How It Happened – Game 2: UNCW took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning on a double by sophomore
Lauren Moore (The Oakwood School/Farmville, N.C.) and a single by sophomore
Merritt Wilkinson (Western Alamance H.S./Burlington, N.C.). But, the Cougars countered by scoring three times in the bottom of the frame, including a lead-off home run by Davis, to produce a 3-2 edge. Â
Inside The Box Scores: The teams combined to leave 28 runners on base in the doubleheader, including 17 in the first game … They were also a combined 17-for-34 in advancement opportunities in the opener but just 7-for-22 in the second game … Charleston was limited to just 2-for-14 hitting with runners on base in the nightcap in addition to a 1-for-5 effort with runners in scoring position … UNCW was 3-for-10 in two-out hitting during the second game.
Game Notes: Spinelli is the second UNCW player to drive in four runs in a game this year … Senior
Casey Rowland (Colonie Central H.S./Albany, N.Y.) had four RBI in a victory over North Carolina A&T on Feb. 20 … Spinelli leads the Seahawks with six multi-RBI games this year … The Seahawks scored six or more runs in a game for the first time since Apr. 4 against Drexel when they had 11 runs in a victory over the Dragons ... Moore has reached base safely in seven consecutive games after posting a hit in each of Sunday's games … The Seahawks matched a season high with three stolen bases in the first game … UNCW had not attempted a stolen base in its previous four games … The Seahawks have alternated wins and losses in their last six games.
Up Next for the Seahawks: UNCW will finish its regular season schedule next weekend with a three-game trip to Elon. The Seahawks and the Phoenix will play a doubleheader on Friday, May 1 before a single game on Saturday, May 2.
