Zack Ciboth, Sports Editor
Game 1 vs #1 North Georgia
The UNC Pembroke softball team fell Friday afternoon to the #1 ranked North Georgia Nighthawks in the opening day of the North Georgia Leadoff Classic. The Nighthawks got things rolling early and tacked on runs in three of the five innings played, coming away with an 8-0 win.
Katie Ward got things going for the Nighthawks in the bottom half of the second with an RBI single to make it 1-0. Madison Simmons added on in the next at bat with an RBI single to right brining home Ward to put North Georgia 2-0.
The Nighthawks picked up the scoring in the fourth inning with an RBI double by Grace Mixon bringing in two runs and then an RBI groundout to second base by Simmons to make it 5-0. In the fifth the Nighthawks brought in a runner on a loaded bases walk. North Georgia finished off scoring with an RBI single that brought in two runs by Mixon to make it 8-0 and secure the win for North Georgia.
Kristen Davis took the win for North Gerogia going five innings giving up one hit while striking out six batters and walking two. For the Braves Summer Bullard took the loss giving up seven hits and seven runs in four innings pitched, she struck out three and walked one.
Game 2 vs Lenoir-Rhyne
The UNC Pembroke softball team fell to the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears in the second day of the North Georgia Leadoff Classic. The Bears poured it on early to start the game and put the game out of reach as they claimed a fiving inning 9-0 win over the Braves
Julia Mardigian struck first for the Bears in the first inning on a solo homerun over the right field fence making it 1-0. The Bears poured it on in the third, scoring seven runs starting with a four-run homer to right from Lauren Rakes to make it 5-0. A Camden Gerland RBI single made it 6-0, A sacrifice fly by Mardigian made it 7-0, the Bears finished off the damage in the third with a loaded bases walk putting them up 8-0. The Bears finished the scoring in the fourth with an Adda Prescott single making it 9-0 as the Bears secure the win.
Alissa Russ got the win for the Bears, going five innings, giving up five hits while striking out five batters and walking none. For the Braves Kinsley Sheppard took the loss for the Braves pitching two innings giving up six hits and five runs, striking out none and walking two.
Game 3 vs Lake Erie
The UNC Pembroke softball team picked up their first win on the weekend when they took on the Lake Erie Strom on day two of the UNG Leadoff Classic. The Braves started the game off on the right foot and held off a late rally from the Storm to take a 4-2 win.
Charlotte Rose got the Braves on the board first with an RBI groundout that brought a runner home to make it 1-0. Mackenzie Collins brought home a runner on an RBI single on an error by the right fielder, and Kynley Brewer hit a single and advanced to second on an error which made it 3-0 heading into the third inning.
Marijo Wilkes had an RBI single to right to put the Braves up 4-0. The Storm managed to get on the board with a runner stealing home and Jordyn Long with an RBI to cut the Braves lead to 4-2. The Braves managed to close out the game in the seventh and pick up the win.
Summer Bullard took the win for the Braves, going seven innings giving up three hits and two runs while striking out a career-high 15 batters while walking three.
Game 4 vs Lake Erie
The Braves picked up a sweep Sunday morning over the Lake Erie Storm in comeback fashion. Trailing for most of the game, the Braves mounted a late rally to take down the Storm 8-5 in extra innings.
The Strom lit up the scoreboard to start the game quickly, making it 4-0 on scores from numerous players. The Braves got the on the scoreboard in the fourth inning thanks to a three-run bomb over the wall from Jai Deese to put the Braves only down 4-3. Ava Scott added to the Storms lead with a Fielder’s choice that brought in a runner making it 5-3. Chloe Locklear had an RBI single in the fifth and the ninth to push the lead for the Braves out to 6-5 and then Emma Eckhart had two insurance runs to pick up the win
Kinsley Sheppard came in and took the win, going seven innings, giving up four hits and one run while striking out five and walking three.
Game 5 vs #1 North Georgia
The Braves closed out the UNG Leadoff Classic falling to the Nighthawks on the final day. North Georgia got things rolling and poured it on early to come away with a 10-1 win.
The Nighthawks put together an explosive second innings to quickly go ahead 5-0. Jai Deese got the Braves on the scoreboard in the second inning with a home run to make it 5-1. That would be the Braves’ only points of the game as they closed things out with another productive stretch in the late innings, to come away with the win.
Bullard took the loss for the Braves in this one going 2 1/3 innings giving up 10 hits and seven runs while striking out four and walking two.
The Braves will return to action later today when they welcome Anderson to town for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.