WILMINGTON, N.C. Kate Morrisonšs three-run two-out double in the third inning gave Furman all the runs it would need in game two as the Paladins held off UNC Wilmington, 3-2, to complete a doubleheader sweep in softball action Saturday at Boseman Field. In the opener, Furmanšs Rachel Henley and Meagan Johnson combined to shutout the Seahawks, 3-0. With the sweep, Furman moves to 10-10 overall and 4-1 in the Southern Conference.
UNCW sees its losing streak extended to eight games and now stands at 12-16 and 0-5. In the nightcap, UNCW jumped in front in the top of the first, 1-0, on a one-out RBI single by junior outfielder Tiffany Lindemann, scoring freshman shortstop Leslie Williams. Williams reached base with one out after being hit by a pitch and moved to second when senior third baseman Audrey White singled to left. In the third inning, the Paladins loaded the bases with a hit batter and a pair of walks to set the stage for Morrisonšs double to left center. UNCW managed to cut its deficit to 3-2 in the fifth when Williams lifted a sacrifice fly to left scoring freshman second baseman Kacie Jacobs, who opened the inning with a walk. Furman threatened to extend its lead in both the sixth and seventh innings, but could not push an insurance run across. The Paladins left four on base in those innings. Furman stranded seven runners in the game. In the seventh, relief pitcher Megan Clingman opened the inning reaching on an error and pinch-runner freshman Christina Elmore moved to second on Jacobs sacrifice bunt. UNCW looked to tie the game with one out when junior leftfielder Mary Susan Hilliard singled up the middle, but centerfielder LaKerah Barršs one-hop strike to catcher Jessica Matthews cut down Elmore at the plate to pre
serve the Paladins one-run lead. Hilliard moved to second on the throw, but freshman centerfielder Summer Chriscoe popped up to first to end the game. In the opener, Henley (5-4) scattered six hits over six innings while striking out six before making way for Johnson who struck out one and allowed a hit in picking up her second save of the season. Morrison scored twice and collected a pair of hits to pace the Paladins. UNCW freshman Jamie Gostyla (5-8) went the distancebut suffered the loss despite holding Furman to five hits and two earned runs. Chriscoe went 3-for-4 while junior first baseman Chrissy Freaney went 2-for-3.
The Paladins and the Seahawks will close out the series with a single game Sunday at 2 p.m.