WILSON, N.C. – The Barton softball team (14-12, 2-4) split a Conference Carolinas doubleheader on Saturday afternoon with UNC Pembroke (12-17, 3-1) at Jeffries Field. The Braves won the first contest by an 8-4 score while the Bulldogs rallied to win the nightcap, 12-11, to salvage the split.
Game One – UNC Pembroke 8, Barton 4
The Braves' Samantha Allred (Vass, N.C.) hit a two-run home run and Alona Hanna (Lumberton, N.C.) added a solo round-tripper as UNC Pembroke broke a four-all tie with four runs in the top of the seventh inning to pull out the win.
UNC Pembroke's Tiara Stueck (Lumberton, N.C.) came through with the game-winning, two-run single in the frame while Summer Bullard (Pembroke, N.C.) (4-4) earned the complete game victory.
Barton was led by junior second baseman
Madison Mercer (Kenly, N.C.), who finished with three runs scored and two hits but freshman
Emily Bobo (Mount Ephraim, N.J.) (1-2) was tagged with the loss in relief.
Game Two – Barton 12, UNC Pembroke 11
The Bulldogs rallied from a 9-2 deficit to take the victory as sophomore pitcher and designated player
Ali Bunch (Wilmington, N.C.) scored to end the game in the bottom of the seventh off a Braves' error to break an 11-all tie.
Barton started the run with a six-run fourth frame while Mercer added three more runs batted in and junior outfielder
Makenzie Cyzick (Dayton, Va.) finished with four hits, three runs scored, a triple and a solo home run in the victory.
Barton senior
Kierstin Cooper (Nashville, N.C.) (8-7) pitched three innings in relief to earn the victory. UNC Pembroke lost despite the play of Chloe Locklear (Pembroke, N.C.), who finished with two home runs and five runs batted in. The Braves' Katie Neel (Anderson Creek, N.C.) (0-4) took the loss.
Barton remains at home to host rival Mount Olive in a Conference Carolinas doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon starting at 1:00 p.m., while UNC Pembroke faces No. 7 Francis Marion in a doubleheader at 4:00 p.m., at Tuesday.
