Zack Ciboth, Sports Editor
Game 1
The UNC Pembroke softball team fell in the first game of a doubleheader in a non-conference matchup with the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears. The Braves started off the game on a fast start before the Bears capitalized off a few key innings to take the game 5-2.
The Braves scored first in the top of the first inning when Jai Deese brought a runner home on an RBI groundout to first to make it 1-0. The next couple of innings went scoreless between both sides. The Braves took the 1-0 lead into the fourth inning. The Braves extended their lead with a home run over the center field wall by Emma Eckhart making it 2-0.
In the bottom of the fourth the Bears started to get things rolling when Abbey Nixion brought home two runs to tie the game at 2-2 with an RBI double. Nixon eventually helped the Bears take a 3-2 lead when she capitalized off a wild pitch.
The Bears added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning on a double by Lani Warren that made it 4-2 Bears. The Bears continued to pour into their lead when a single by Maddison Primm to extend the lead to 5-2. The Braves could not get anything going into the seventh inning as the Bears took game 1.
Lauren Rakes took the win in the circle coming in for relief for the Bears, she gave up four hits and one run over four and two-thirds innings pitched while striking out nine batters and walking two. Summer Bullard took the loss for the Braves going four innings and giving up four runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking three.
Faith Carrigan started the game for the Bears, she pitched two-and one-third innings giving up four hits and one while striking out four batters and walking one.
Game 2
In the second game of the doubleheader the Braves fell the Bears in six innings when the Bears got things rolling and completed the doubleheader sweep with a 9-0 win. With the two losses the Braves fell to 2-6 on the season. The Bears improved to 3-1 on the season.
Lora Beth Wood got the Bears going in the bottom of the second to get the scoring going with a two-run homer over the leftfield wall to make it 2-0 Bears. Katelyn Rackard added to the inning with an RBI single to make it 3-0.
Wood hit her second home run of the evening when she hit one over the same place in left field to for another two-run shot making it 5-0 Lenoir-Rhyne. Lauren Rakes joined the scoring party with a home run of her own in the bottom of the fifth to make it 6-0. Julia Mardigian finished things off in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run homerun to make it 9-0 and secure the win.
Madison Wilson got the win for the Bears in the circle pitching six innings, giving up two hits and six strikeouts. For the Braves, Kinsley Sheppard took the loss, giving up five hits and five runs in three innings pitched while striking out one batter and walking one.
The Braves will return to action on Feb. 16th when they travel to Dahlonega, GA to participate in the North Georgia Leadoff Classic when they face host North Georgia at 2 p.m.