WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Sophomore
Rachel Willis continued her outstanding start to the season by collecting four hits and scoring seven runs as UNCW split a pair of games at the Hampton Inn University Area Seahawk Softball Classic at Boseman Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Seahawks, who improved to 6-2 on the season, dropped a 6-4 decision against UMBC in eight innings before rebounding to post a 14-2 victory over Appalachian State in five innings.
Willis went 4-for-7 at the plate with two doubles and two runs batted in. She posted a pair of hits and scored three times in the Seahawks' loss against UMBC before another two-hit effort against the Mountaineers in addition to scoring four times.
Senior
Nella Chamblee also registered four hits in the Seahawks' two contests while scoring three runs with four runs batted in. She had a 2-for-3 effort against Appalachian State with three runs scored and two RBI.
Senior
Peyton Jordan upped her record to 3-1 in the victory over Appalachian State after allowing two runs on five hits in a complete game effort. She did not walk a batter and recorded six strikeouts.
How It Happened – Game 1: UMBC plated three runs in the top of the eighth inning to claim a 6-3 lead. A double by sophomore
Morgan Peyou scored two runs for a 5-3 advantage before a single by senior
Kelly Lane added to the margin. Chamblee cut the margin to 6-4 with an RBI single to center field, but the Seahawks could not get any closer.
How It Happened – Appalachian State: The Seahawks scored at least two runs in each of their four trips to the plate, including a six-run second inning that featured four hits and a pair of errors. Appalachian State recorded seven errors in the contest, which led to six unearned runs by the Seahawks.
Coach Kristy Norton Says: "As a team, we are not always going to jump out to a lead, so I wish we would have been able to not just catch up to UMBC, but also carry some momentum to finish the job. We just fell a little short [in the first game]. The team responded appropriately and quickly to Appalachian State's first run in the second game. Our hitters then just got locked in and did a good job of executing. Peyton continues to find the zone and get ahead of batters. We are excited about her start to the season."
Inside the Box Scores: The Seahawks scored 18 runs on just 16 hits, but posted three doubles … UNCW hitters posted a .302 batting average in the doubleheader … The Seahawks converted 8-of-17 advancement opportunities against UMBC … UNCW pitchers forced the Retrievers into 14 ground ball outs … The Seahawks were an impressive 19-for-24 in advancement chances against Appalachian State and 6-for-13 with a runner on third base … They also had the leadoff hitter reach safely in each of their four visits to the plate.
#SeahawkStats: Willis has hit safely in all eight games and has recorded two-hit efforts in four of her last five outings … She is the first UNCW player to post an eight-game hitting streak since
Brittany Gamby hit safely in eight consecutive games during the 2014 season … Chamblee and Willis have also reached base safely in all of the Seahawks' games this season … Jordan moved into a tie for fourth place on the Seahawks' career wins list with her 32nd career victory … She shares the spot with
Jamie Gostyla, who posted a 32-49 record from 2002-05 … The Seahawks' 14 runs scored against Appalachian State are the most by UNCW in a single game since a 14-run outburst against North Carolina A&T on Mar. 6, 2013 … The Seahawks have outhit their opponent in six of the first eight games … Jordan has posted 22 strikeouts with just two walks in her four starts this season while boasting a 0.83 earned run average … Opponents are hitting just .191 against UNCW through eight games.
Up Next for UNCW: The Seahawks face North Texas in the final game of the Hampton Inn University Area Seahawk Softball Classic on Sunday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. UMBC and Appalachian State open the doubleheader with a contest at 10 a.m.
