WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Freshman
Tayler Vitola collected five hits and scored two runs, but it was not enough as UNCW dropped a pair of games against Appalachian State to begin the weekend series at Boseman Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Seahawks, who dropped to 1-3 on the season, suffered a 3-2 setback in the opener before falling by a 5-4 count in the nightcap. Appalachian State upped its record to 5-3, including a 4-1 mark in its last five games.
Vitola recorded a pair of multi-hit games to lead the Seahawks. The Middletown, Del., product went 3-for-4 in the opener with a run scored before adding a 2-for-4 effort in the second game.
Junior utility player
Gabriella Hessenthaler contributed three hits and two runs scored while three other players posted two-hit performances.
How It Happened – Game 1: UNCW scored two runs in the first inning before Appalachian State answered with three unanswered markers to earn the one-run victory. The Mountaineers tied the game at 2-all in the third inning on a bases-loaded walk by redshirt sophomore
Taylor Thorp and an infield single by junior
Mary Pierce Barnes. Appalachian State took the lead in the fifth inning on a leadoff home run by senior catcher
Baylee Morton.
How It Happened – Game 2: Appalachian State overcame a 4-2 deficit with three unanswered runs in the final four innings. The Mountaineers tied the game at 4-4 with two runs in the fourth inning before taking the lead on a UNCW throwing error in the top of the sixth inning.
Notes of Interest: Vitola and junior
Janel Gamache extended their hitting streaks to four straight games … Hessenthaler has also hit safely in three consecutive outings … Vitola recorded the Seahawks' first three-hit game of the season … UNCW's last three games have been decided by one run.
Up Next: UNCW and Appalachian State close out the four-game series on Sunday, Feb. 28, with a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m.
