WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Sophomore pitcher
Amberlyn Pearce scattered seven hits and posted five strikeouts to lead UNCW to a 2-1 victory over Campbell in non-conference softball action at Boseman Field on Wednesday evening.
The Seahawks, who snapped a three-game losing streak, upped their record to 9-18 on the season. Campbell saw an end to its 10-game win streak and dropped to 17-11.
UNCW plated both of its runs in the first inning. After junior
Gabriella Hessenthaler opened the game with a single, she came around to score after freshman
Tayler Vitola singled and moved to third on a Campbell throwing error.
Vitola scored to make it a 2-0 advantage when junior
Janel Gamache grounded out to shortstop.
Campbell trimmed the margin to 2-1 in the top of the third inning on a bases loaded fielder's choice by redshirt junior
Kayla Fredendall. But, Pearce got the final out of the inning to end the Camels' comeback bid.
From there, Pearce and the UNCW defense conceded just three hits over the final four innings to secure the victory.
Pearce, who authored the third complete game of her college career, surrendered one run while upping her record to 3-6 on the season.
Hessenthaler recorded two of the Seahawks' three hits, upping her batting average to .301.
Redshirt freshman
Georgeanna Barefoot took the loss for Campbell after giving two runs on three hits in a complete game effort. She also registered three strikeouts while falling to 8-5.
Notes of Interest: UNCW has now won four of the last five meetings against Campbell, including the last three in a row … Gamache had her six-game hitting streak snapped after going 0-for-3 … Hessenthaler posted her ninth multi-hit game of the season … UNCW scored in the first inning for the 17th time in 27 games this season with 29 runs in the opening frame … The Seahawks improved to 5-7 when scoring first … UNCW and Campbell combined to 7-for-16 in advancement opportunities.
Up Next: UNCW returns to Colonial Athletic Association play this weekend with a three-game series at the College of Charleston. The Seahawks and Cougars will play a doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 17, before a single game on Sunday, Apr. 18.
