Nick Kolsin, Sports Reporter
The #9 ranked UNC Pembroke Braves undefeated season continues as they defeated the Mercy University Mavericks 12-7 on Tuesday afternoon. The Braves are off to an 11-0 start for the first time since the 2015 season.
Mercy started the scoring early in the top of the first inning, scoring one off an RBI single from Zach Ashline. In the third, the Mavericks added another run on a Justin Glennerster single.The Braves responded in the bottom of the third on a fielder’s choice by Spencer Faulkner making it a 2-1 ballgame. The fourth inning was when the bats finally woke up for the braves. First, Joey Rezek homered to right to tie the game at 2-2. Then, with a man on second, Micheal Dolberry cracked a no doubt homer to deep left field giving the Braves a 4-2 lead.
With a man on second and third in the fifth, Kody O’Connor singled home a run to extend the Braves lead to three. Two batters later, Rezek hit his second homer of the night scoring three runs and pushing the lead out to 8-2 for the Braves.
The Mavericks showed some life in the top of the eight innings after a bases loaded single from Joseph Gonzalez and a Grand Slam from Brandon Nolasco to make the game 8-7. In the Bottom of the inning, Will Hood and Isaias Villarreal homered back-to-back scoring three runs making it an 11-7 ballgame. They tacked on another run on a sac fly from Rezek to make it 12-7. Braves closed things out in the ninth for the win.
Taylor Batten got the start for the Braves going four innings giving up four hits and two runs while striking out four batters. Rhett James was awarded the win for the Braves going one innings giving up zero hits and zero runs while striking out one batter. Four other batters came in for the Braves including Rhett Burley who managed to close things out for the Braves with the final two strikeouts of the game.
The newly ranked #5 Braves will begin Conference Carolina’s action when they travel to face the Francis Marion Patriots in a three-game series for the Battle of I-95. Game 1 is set for Friday at 6 p.m. while Game 2 and 3 are set for Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Softball vs Anderson
The UNC Pembroke softball team split in a doubleheader with the Anderson Trojans Monday afternoon at home in non-conference action. UNC Pembroke took the first game with a 6-1 win over the Trojans, while in the second game the Trojans took down the Braves 6-0.
In Game 1 the Braves offense was on fire as they managed to score a run in four different innings including a explosive fifith inning where they would tack on three runs to push their lead out and got the job done in the seventh closing out the game for the win.
Summer Bullard got the start for the Braves going seven innings giving up three hits and one run while striking out 12 batters and walking one. Carson Hobbs got the start in the circle for the Trojans going five innings giving up seven hits and five runs while striking out four and walking two.
In Game 2 it was the Trojans who used a six run second inning to quickly take control of the game and limited the Braves offense to just two hits while coming away with the win and the split in the series.
Laken Maxwell got the win for the Trojans going seven innings giving up two hits and zero runs while striking out 11 batters and walking none. For the Braves Kinsley Sheppard took the loss going seven innings giving up seven hits and six runs while striking out three and walking five.
Softball vs Catawba
The Braves split a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon when they welcomed the Catawba Indians to Pembroke for some non-conference action. An exciting game one saw the Braves take it in walk-off style coming away with the 3-2 win. The Indians however took game two in extra innings taking down the Braves 6-4.
Scoreless from both sides heading into the seventh inning the Indians took a 2-0 lead late heading into the bottom half of the inning where they had a chance to do some magic, which they delivered with a three-run homerun to walk it off by batter Emma Eckart to give the Braves the win.
Bullard got the win for the Braves giving up three hits and two runs while striking out three in seven innings of work. Riley Tucker got the start for Catawba going six innings giving up three hits and one run while striking out three batters and walking one.
In Game 2 the Braves scored first in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Catawba poured it on late to take a 2-1 lead heading into the seventh. MJ Wilkes hit a solo homerun in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game up and send it into extra innings. In extra’s the Indians scored three runs to the put Catawba up 6-4 and closed things on the Braves in the 10th inning for the win.
Alexandra Baquie got the start for Catawba and the win going all 10 innings giving up eight hits and four runs while striking out seven batters and walking four. For the Braves Shepard got the start going six innings, giving up sixth hits and two runs while fanning five batters and walking two. Katie Neal took the loss for the Braves pitching four innings, giving up four hits and four runs while striking out two and walking one.
The Braves will travel to Wingate on Saturday for a doubleheader with the Bulldogs. Game times are set for 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.