The ETSU softball team split a doubleheader with UNC Wilmington, falling in game one, 6-2, but then winning game two, 6-1, Saturday afternoon from Metro-Kiwanis Park in Johnson City, Tenn.The Bucs (20-25, 8-9 Southern Conference) took the lead over the Seahawks (18-27, 5-11 SoCon) by plating a run in the bottom of the third. Sophomore first baseman Miranda Byerly led off the third with a triple to right field. She scored when the next batter, freshman third baseman Lindsay Lane laced a single to left center.

UNC Wilmington tied the game by scoring a run in the top of the fifth. Designated player Raena Jones led off the fifth with a single and after being advanced to third by two bunts, was driven in on an infield single by shortstop Audrey White.

The Seahawks built a 3-1 lead by scoring two more runs in the top of the sixth. Catcher Lauren Mattox led off the inning with a double to left center. Mary Susan Hilliard, running for Mattox, advanced on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a fielder’s choice by Chrissy Freaney. Freaney reached on the play and then scored on a triple to left center by Jones.

UNCW put the game out of reach with three more runs in the top of the seventh. Outfielder Christina Elmore and White led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Mattox followed with a double to left center, scoring Elmore. Outfielder Tiffany Lindemann then followed with a single to left field, scoring White. The final run of the inning would cross the plate as Mattox scored on an error.

The Bucs attempted to make a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, but could score just one run. Sophomore outfielder Rhea Holler led off the inning by reaching on an error, and scored when senior second baseman April Arnold reached on another error.

Seahawk pitcher Jamie Gostyla (8-11) picked up the win, pitching a complete game, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out two. Buccaneer freshman pitcher Courtney Jenkins also went the distance, but took the loss (10-9) after allowing five earned runs on 10 hits while striking out four.

Byerly went 2-for-2 at the plate for ETSU with a run scored. For the Seahawks, both White and Mattox went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI in game one.

ETSU turned the tables on UNCW in game two, defeating the Seahawks, 6-1.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth, when the Bucs put two runs on the board. Freshman outfielder Danielle Spetar led off the inning with a single and came home on a two-run homer to center field by Byerly.

The Bucs rallied for four more runs in the next inning, putting the game out of reach. Holler led off the inning with a single and scored on a triple by Lane. Arnold then singled to right field and came home on a double by sophomore pitcher Tiffany Vandergriff. Vandergriff came home on a single by Spetar. After stealing second, Spetar scored the final run of the game for the Bucs on a double by Byerly.

UNCW scored their only run of the game in the top of the seventh as Ashley Niggebrugge, pinch-running for Freaney, came home on a double play.

Vandergriff picked up the win (5-7) for ETSU, allowing no earned runs on just four hits in her complete game. Amanda Wilson took the loss (5-6) for the Seahawks after surrendering five earned runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings pitched.

Spetar, Byerly, Holler and Lane each had two hits in game two for the Bucs. Byerly led the team with three RBI.

The two teams conclude their weekend series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. from Metro-Kiwanis Park.

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