WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Sophomore
Rachel Willis scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning as UNCW rallied to defeat UMass Lowell and earn a split of its two games at the Lafayette Ford Lincoln of Fayetteville Showcase at Boseman Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Seahawks, who moved to 16-6-1 on the season, overcame a 5-1 loss against Georgetown in the first game to defeat the River Hawks, 10-9, in nine innings in the nightcap.
Willis, who went 2-for-8 in the twinbill, helped the Seahawks overcome an 8-1 deficit against UMass Lowell when she blasted a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning for her third home run of the season.
Senior
Lauren Moore headlined the Seahawks' 20-hit attack in the doubleheader by going 4-for-8 with a pair of runs batted in. Sophomores
Hannah Adamczyk and
Kelsey Bryan each added three hits while senior
Nella Chamblee notched her third home run of the season against UMass Lowell.
Junior
Sarah Davis earned the decision in both games, upping her record to 7-3 on the season. After suffering the loss against Georgetown, the Burlington, N.C., native allowed just one hit in two innings of relief in the victory over the River Hawks.
How It Happened vs. Georgetown: The Hoyas surged out to a 5-0 lead in the first five innings, including a pair of two-run frames. Freshman outfielder
Alexa Dolby drove in two runs to lead Georgetown with a single to right field in the fourth inning. Sophomore
Lacey Fox ended the Hoyas' shutout bid by hitting her second home run of the season to lead off the fifth inning.
How It Happened vs. UMass Lowell: UNCW, which trailed by a 9-4 margin heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, rallied by scoring five runs in the sixth and seventh frames to force extra innings. Willis' grand slam in the sixth inning narrowed the margin to 9-8 before a pinch-hit RBI single by freshman
Dominique Travers evened the score at 9-all. Freshman
Meghan Whitecavage drove in the game-winning run with a bunt single with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Coach Kristy Norton Says: "Today was a great experience for our team. I hope it showed them that we can rely on all parts of the game to piece together a win. Pitching, hitting and defense came together well."
Inside the Box Scores: Georgetown freshman pitcher
Anna Brooks Pacha forced UNCW into 13 fly ball outs in the opener while limiting the Seahawks to just 2-for-10 with runners on base … Georgetown was 11-for-16 in advancement opportunities … The Seahawks were 7-for-15 in two-out situations against UMass Lowell and scored 8 of their 10 runs with two outs … UNCW was 13-for-23 in advancement chances in the nightcap.
#SeahawkStats: UMass Lowell defeated St. Bonaventure, 9-0, in five innings in the final game on Saturday … The loss against Georgetown ended the Seahawks' season-high five-game win streak … UNCW is now 11-3 at home this season … UNCW improved to 2-2 in extra-inning games this year … The Seahawks improved to 15-0-1 when outhitting their opponent after setting a season high with 15 hits against UMass Lowell … UNCW is a perfect 5-0 when scoring 10 or more runs this season … Bryan has hit safely in seven consecutive games … Willis and Chamblee homered in the same game for the second time this season … The Seahawks have hit 18 home runs this season, eclipsing their total from last season … There have been 15 home runs hit in the tournament this weekend, including seven by UMass Lowell … Davis has fashioned a 1.91 earned run average in three appearances this weekend.
Up Next: The Seahawks complete play at the Lafayette Ford Lincoln of Fayetteville Showcase on Sunday afternoon by facing Georgetown in the tournament finale at 2 p.m. UMass Lowell and St. Bonaventure play in the first game of the day at 9 a.m. before the Bonnies take on Georgetown at 11:30 a.m.
