MACON, GA. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball team split its Saturday doubleheader with Mercer at Sikes Field, taking game one 5-2 and then falling 8-0 in five innings.
 
UNCG is 36-15 overall and 12-5 in The Southern Conference (SoCon), while Mercer is 27-23 overall and 7-9 in the conference.
 
GAME 1: UNCG 5 – Mercer 2

• After two scoreless innings for both teams, the Spartans capitalized on two hits and one error to go up 2-0 in the top of the third.
• With two outs and Samantha Beck on first by way of a fielder's choice, she stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. Kaylyn Belfield then singled up the middle to drive her home and Jessie Shipley followed with her ninth double of the season for a 2-0 advantage.
• In the bottom of the frame, Mercer tied the game with two runs on three hits but the Bears left the bases loaded as Jorde Chartrand retired the side with a fly out.
• Following another scoreless set of innings, Shipley led off for the Spartans in the top of the sixth with a single and Chartrand drove a two-run blast over the right-center wall to go up 4-2.
• This was Chartrand's ninth homer of the season and 23^rd of her career.
• UNCG added an insurance run in the top of the seventh as Grace Loftin hit a sacrifice fly to right field to bring home Beck to give the Spartans a 5-2 lead.
• Mercer threatened in the bottom of the seventh with two runners on base, but Tori Hedgecock grounded into a double play to end the game and give UNCG the 5-2 win. 

PITCHING RECORD
Reese Byrd: W, 10-3
Grace Taylor: L, 2-2
 
GAME 2: UNCG 0 – MERCER 8 (5 inn.)

• Mercer scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first, as Grace Jones singled to the shortstop giving room for Hallie Langford to score from third for a 1-0 lead.
• After scoreless second and third innings for both teams, Mercer broke the game open with five runs in the fourth inning putting the Bears up 6-0.
• The Bears scored all five runs in the fourth while the bases were loaded. The Spartans were able to get out of the jam after Laura Vigna grounded into a double play.
• In the bottom of the fifth, Mercer added two runs on four hits to take an 8-0 run-rule victory to split the series.

PITCHING RECORD
Salem Ward: L, 13-6
Gabby Ellis: W, 7-5
 
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UP NEXT
The Spartans and Bears will conclude the series with a single game tomorrow and a first pitch slated for 1:00 p.m. at Sikes Field.