ETSU softball opened up Southern Conference play on March 25 in a doubleheader as they visited UNCG. To begin, ETSU lost a close eight-inning game 2-1. In the second game, ETSU suffered a 14-1 loss.
Brianna Bailey (Wewahitchka, Fla.) got the start for the Bucs in game one as she pitched 7.2 innings and allowed a pair of runs. This was Bailey’s 11th start of the season.
In a pitcher’s duel that held both teams scoreless until the top of the seventh, Jasmine Sanchez (Buford, GA) singled to center field which scored Riley Nayadley (Ooltewah, Tenn), giving the Bucs a 1-0 lead late in the game. UNCG answered with a solo shot to right center, tying things up and pushing the game into extra innings.
The Bucs had chances to break the tie but left three stranded on base, giving UNCG a chance to walk it off in the bottom of the eighth. UNCG did just that as a fly out to center field scored a run for the Spartans, giving them a 2-1 win. Despite an impressive outing from the circle, Bailey took the loss, dropping to a 5-6 record on the season.
In the second game, an offensive outpouring in the fourth inning propelled UNCG to victory. UNCG had three hits in the fourth inning, which scored a total of ten runs with two homeruns to add to the damage. ETSU was able to get on the scoreboard in the fifth as Sara Muir (Sequatchie, Tenn.) hit her sixth homerun of the season, making the final score 14-1. Muir pitched three innings, giving up five hits and four runs.
ETSU falls to 7-20 on the season and 0-2 in conference play. UNCG improves to 21-12 overall and 2-0 in conference. The Lady Bucs will travel to Knoxville and take on the Lady Volunteers on March 28. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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