WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Freshmen
Gabriella Hessenthaler tallied five hits, including a pair of triples, and scored three runs and senior
Anna Hessenthaler added four extra-base hits as UNCW split a pair of games at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Seahawk Softball Bash at Boseman Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Seahawks, who ran their record to 4-5 on the season, dropped a tough 12-11 decision against Howard in 10 innings before answering with an 8-6 victory over Rhode Island.
Gabriella Hessenthaler finished the twinbill with a 5-for-10 effort at the plate and drove in three runs. Making the first starts of her college career, she went 4-for-6 in the extra-inning loss against Howard with a pair of triples and three runs batted in before going 1-for-4 with a run scored against Rhode Island.
Anna Hessenthaler, meanwhile, was 3-for-3 and finished a single shy of the cycle while driving in four runs against Rhode Island after going 1-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI against Howard.
Freshmen
Jada Santiago and
Janel Gamache each contributed four hits in the doubleheader for the Seahawks, who tallied 28 hits in the two contests.
Junior
Rylee Pate secured the win in the circle against Rhode Island, upping her record to 3-1 on the season after throwing her fourth complete game of the year with a season-high seven strikeouts.
How It Happened vs. Howard: The Bison used a RBI double by freshman Camille Navarro to break an 11-all tie with one out in the 10th inning after UNCW rallied to tie the game with five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and another run in the eighth inning. The Seahawks were able to load the bases in the bottom of the 10th inning, but redshirt senior pitcher Makenzi Steele posted the final two outs to seal the win for Howard.
How It Happened vs. Rhode Island: UNCW overcame a 4-3 deficit by erupting for five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, giving the Seahawks an 8-4 lead they did not relinquish. Sophomore
Carson Shaner blasted a three-run home run with no outs before
Anna Hessenthaler added a run-scoring double to go with a RBI single from senior
Kali Jones.
Up Next: UNCW completes play at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Seahawk Softball Bash on Sunday, Feb. 17, with a 12:30 p.m. contest against Rhode Island.