By Terrence Hinds, Staff Writer

Published in print Mar. 25, 2015

The Softball team had a tough weekend last week. The team stayed on campus over the weekend to battle the Lady Mocs of Chattanooga University.  And unfortunately for the home side, and it did not end well. In three games, the team had losses. The Softball team was sweep in decisive manner this weekend. Although each of the games were close, it still must be tough to lose three in two days like that. The weekend dropped UNCG to 12-12 and extended their losing streak to six games. They’ve had a tough stretch no doubt about that, but, as shown with their strong early play, the team has the talent to turn everything around. Plus, though it is difficult to drop Southern Conference matches, the weekend series after all was only the beginning of conference play.

Each of the games this weekend had their own personality. UNCG had a chance to win each one of them but just could not execute in key moments.

Game 1 UNCG 4, Chattanooga 5

This one was heart breaker. Chattanooga scored three runs in the final inning, the seventh, to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Freshman pitcher Alicia Bazonski took the hard loss falling to 5-4 on the season. Bazonski threw 6.1 innings and allowed five earned runs off eight hits.

Junior Danielle Vega went 2-for-3 with a RBI double.

UNCG scored two runs in the third inning off three hits. With one out, junior Lindsay Thomas singled up the middle and Vega followed with a single to right field. Junior Nicole Thomas lined a RBI single down the right field line to make it 1-0 UNCG. Pinch runner Rebecca Kale scored on a passed ball for the second run of the frame.

The Blue and Gold added two more runs in the fourth inning off two hits. Freshman Gabrielle Cubbage got a walk to start the inning. Geiner singled to put runners on first and second. After an illegal pitch, Lindsay Thomas lined a RBI sacrifice fly to right field. Vega hit a hard one with two outs giving the blue and gold and RBI double to push UNCG’s lead to 4-0. Unfortunately this lead could not hold up, because in the seventh inning, the Mocs rallied back with three runs to earn a walk-off victory against the Spartans. Jesslyn Stockard singled to start the rally and pinch hitter Jenny Garcia got a RBI triple to make the score 4-3. Sam Taylor tied the game with a single to left field. After a sacrifice bunt, Sara Beth Roberts ended the game with a walk-off RBI single. It was a crushing defeat for the team because they were so close to sealing the game up.

Game 2 UNCG 1, Chattanooga 3

In the second game of a Saturday doubleheader, the Lady Mocs received a dominant performance from Cori Jennings who threw a complete game against the Spartans. For UNCG’s pitcher, Nicole Thomas , she dropped to 2-4 on the season. The junior ace threw a complete game and allowing three earned runs and six hits.

At the plate, the Thomas sisters, Nicole and Lindsay went a combined 4-for-5, with Nicole driving in the only run for the Spartans. The team originally led the game due to Nicole’s RBI single in the third, but the Lady Mocs were able to comeback to deliver their own blow in the third inning with two runs on three hits. Anyssa Robles of the Lady Mocs added a solo home run in the fourth inning to make the score 3-1, which ended up being the final for the game.

Game 3 UNCG 4, Chattanooga 5

UNC-Greensboro almost pulled off a late rally in their attempt to take one game this weekend, but could not complete the impressive four run rally in the final game of the series. Losing 5-4 and Nicole Thomas taking her second lost on the weekend in five innings of relief, Nicole struggled at the plate as well on Sunday, going 0-for-3 at the plate, ending her 16-game hitting streak. After giving up four runs in the top of the first inning, UNCG battled back to score four runs of their own in the second inning. This strong inning was led by Lindsay Thomas who nailed a three-run home run in the bottom half of the second. But, Chattanooga took the lead for good in the fifth inning with a fifth inning sacrifice fly by Lady Moc Cricket Blanco.

Categories: Sports, terrence hinds