WILMINGTON, North Carolina – UNCW erupted for a season-high 15 runs and 14 hits to extend its winning streak to five games after a 15-7 victory in five innings over North Carolina A&T in non-conference softball action at Boseman Field on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The Seahawks ran their record to 13-18 while dropping the Aggies' record to 9-24 on the season.
 
Junior Janel Gamache anchored the Seahawks' offensive output by going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four runs batted in, while junior Jada Santiago added two hits with two runs batted in and a run scored.
 
Three other Seahawks – junior Gabriella Hessenthaler, sophomore Jentri Meadows and senior Hunter Bizzell – also posted a two-hit effort in the victory.
 
Sophomore Amberlyn Pearce, the reigning Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Week, improved to 5-6 in the circle after giving up two runs on two hits over 3.0 innings with a strikeout.
 
Freshman Alyxx Estrada led North Carolina A&T in the loss by going 2-for-3 with three runs batted in and a run scored. Freshman Kiara Richards took the loss in the circle for the Aggies after allowing five runs on seven hits in 1.2 innings.
 
How It Happened: The Seahawks sprinted to a 5-0 lead in the opening two innings before North Carolina A&T trimmed the deficit to 5-2 in the top of the third inning. But, UNCW answered with five runs in the next two innings to build a 10-2 advantage the Seahawks did not relinquish. After the Aggies narrowed the gap to 10-7 with five runs in the fifth, the Seahawks answered with five runs on two hits along with three walks in the bottom of the frame to secure the run-rule victory.
 
Notes of Interest: The 15 runs scored by the Seahawks are the most in a game since Mar. 8, 2008, when they defeated North Carolina Central by a 15-6 count … UNCW is unbeaten in its last 14 games against North Carolina A&T and stands 40-6-2 all-time against the Aggies … Every hitter in the Seahawks' lineup registered at least one hit ... In addition to setting season highs for runs and hits, UNCW set a season high by registering five walks at the plate … Junior Logan Bjorson hit the first home run of her college career with a solo shot in the fourth inning … Gamache recorded the 100th hit of her college career with a single in the third inning … Freshman Tayler Vitola has hit safely in seven straight games, while Vitola and Hessenthaler has reached base safely in seven games in a row … Freshman Charlotte Schultheis made her first appearance in the circle in the fifth inning and registered a strikeout.
 
Up Next: UNCW plays its final road games of the regular season this weekend with a three-game Colonial Athletic Association series at James Madison. The Seahawks and Dukes will play a doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 24, before ending the weekend with a single game on Sunday, Apr. 25.

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