University of North Texas Athletics
Mean Green Splits Doubleheader With FIU
3/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
DENTON, Texas (3/29/09) Mariza Martinez made sure that that the Mean Green offense started hitting right at the top of the lineup. After losing the first game on Saturday, the sophomore lead-off hitter started the Sunday doubleheader with a home run. The North Texas softball team scored runs in each of the first three innings to defeat FIU, 7-2, in the first game of the doubleheader at Lovelace Stadium. The Golden Panthers took the series; however, with a 6-2 win the nightcap.
The win snapped the Mean Green’s three-game losing streak, but FIU came right back to give North Texas another loss. The Mean Green falls to 18-15 and 6-5 in the Sun Belt, while FIU improves to 19-20 and 3-6 in the conference. The Golden Panthers hold a 17-4 lead in the series.
The Mean Green outhit FIU, 11-6, in the first game, but the Golden Panthers turned things around in the nightcap with the advantage in hits, 11-7.
“Going into today, I knew we needed to win a ball game,” said Martinez. “When I was at bat, I was just thinking about getting a solid hit. I knew the rest of my team could get me around the bases. We hit well in both games, but in the second game we hit it right at their players. They closed the gaps really well.”
Kayla Lawson picked up the Mean Green’s only win of the series. She pitched a complete game and allowed just two runs off six hits. Kasey Barrett won two games in the circle for the Golden Panthers. She allowed just two runs off seven hits in the nightcap for FIU.
In the opening game, senior Kadie Platt and Martinez hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the second inning to put NT ahead by three, 3-0. The Mean Green had a big third inning, scoring four runs. Jennifer Smith hit her second home run of the season, bringing home Rebecca Waters who drew a walk. After Megan Rupp and Platt walked, senior Sarah Jones brought them both home with a deep single. FIU scored two runs in the top of the sixth, but North Texas ended the rally and held on for the win.
Smith hit her second home run of the weekend in the fourth inning of the second game, giving North Texas a 2-1 lead. FIU came back with another big fifth inning, scoring three runs off two homers to take a 5-3 lead. The Golden Panthers scored five runs in the fifth inning in their win on Saturday.
FIU’s Kim Rodriguez led the offense for the Golden Panthers. She went 4-for-4 in the FIU win with two RBI. She posted six hits in the doubleheader.
Martinez went 3-for-5 in the first game with a single, double and a home run. She knocked in two runs. Jones and Smith also plated two runs in the opening win. Grimes started both games at catcher and went 2-for-3 in the nightcap. She was the only North Texas player to post a multi-hit game in the nightcap.
North Texas returns to action with a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 31 against Baylor at 3 pm at Lovelace Stadium.
