ATHENS, Georgia – Sophomore
Janel Gamache posted three hits and drove in three runs to lead UNCW to a split of its season-opening softball doubleheader at the Red and Black Showcase hosted by the University of Georgia on Friday afternoon.
The Seahawks opened their 2020 campaign with an 11-3 victory over Howard in eight innings before dropping a 5-3 verdict against Kent State.
Gamache finished the twinbill by going 3-for-6 with two runs scored, a double and a home run. She recorded all three hits in the victory against Howard after a 3-for-4 effort.
Sophomore
Logan Bjorson also tallied three hits to aid in the Seahawks' 15-hit attack, finishing with a 3-for-8 performance and a double while driving in two runs.
Senior
Rylee Pate earned the victory against Howard in the circle, scattering two hits over 4.0 innings with two strikeouts.
How It Happened vs. Howard: UNCW erupted for nine runs in its first four trips to the plate, including a five-run second inning, to take a commanding 9-0 lead. Howard answered with three runs in the top of the fifth inning, but was unable to get any closer.
How It Happened vs. Kent State: Kent State jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a run in the first inning before a three-run outburst in the third. The teams traded a run before UNCW closed the gap to 5-3 with a pair of runs in the fifth inning, but was unable to even the score.
Notes of Interest:
- UNCW has now won its season opener in three of the last four seasons.
- The Seahawks outhit their opponents by a 15-12 margin in the twinbill while posting a .263 average … They also combined for six extra-base hits, including five doubles and a home run.
- UNCW also went 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts in the doubleheader, including a 2-for-2 effort from sophomore Gabriella Hessenthaler.
- The Seahawks' five doubles against Howard are their most in a game since Apr. 14, 2012, when they had five doubles at Towson.
- Howard committed seven errors in the season opener, marking the most miscues by a UNCW opponent since Feb. 25, 2017, when Appalachian State had seven errors.
Up Next: UNCW continues play at the Red and Black Showcase on Saturday, Feb. 8, with a pair of games. The Seahawks face host Georgia at 3:30 p.m. followed by a 6 p.m. pairing with Howard.