Softball Rallys To Clinch Series

Saturday, March 26

Charlotte, NC

12:00 PM

University of North Texas

18-6, 0

Charlotte

21-10, 0

North Texas

Charlotte

3/26/2022 4:12:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, NC – UNT softball scored nine unanswered runs and stormed back from a 6-0 deficit to defeat Charlotte 9-6 Saturday at Sue M. Daughtridge Stadium.

The victory clinched the series for the Mean Green, which has won all three Conference USA series to start league play.

The six run deficit overcome is the first for North Texas since March 23, 2019 when the Mean Green defeated Louisiana Tech 10-9 after being down eight runs after three innings.

QUOTING HEAD COACH RODNEY DELONG
"All around gritty. The game didn't start the way we wanted it to, and we really struggled early. We stayed composed and made a few adjustments and fought back. I'm really proud of them and proud of how they responded. It's a great team win."

RECAP

Charlotte (21-10) jumped out to an early lead on an RBI single by infielder Ella Chancey in the bottom of the first inning for a 1-0 lead. The 49ers added four runs in the bottom of the second on a string of hits. Mekayla Frazier started with a triple to right center to add one run. Kourtney Gremillion added another with a single to left side to make it 3-0. Charlotte outfielder Bailey Vannoy then homered to make it 5-0 before the end of the inning.

In the bottom of the third inning, the 49ers added another run when outfielder Lexi Wagner picked up an RBI on a groundout to extend the lead to 6-0.

North Texas (18-6) struggled through the first four innings, recording only two hits on offense. But in the fifth inning Mikayla Smith and Lexi Cobb both reached on singles to put two runners on with one out. Outfielder Kalei Christensen then came to the plate and started the scoring for the Mean Green with a deep home run shot to center field to cut the deficit to 6-3.

Senior Tayla Evans started the sixth inning with a leadoff home run. Molly Rainey then reached on an error before Ashlyn Walker singled to put two runners on with no outs. Rylan Dooner singled to left field to add another run and make it 6-5 before being tagged out at second base.

Cobb then brought home home a run on an error as Shelby McHughes scored to even the game at 6-6.

Cierra Simon kept the line moving with a single through the left side to put two runners on base before the Mean Green took the lead.

Christensen delivered the go-ahead knock with an RBI single to right to give UNT its first lead of the game, 7-6. Kailey Gamble extended the lead to 9-6 with a two-run single up the middle.

UNT rallied from down six to win the game for the first time since March 23, 2019 when the Mean Green defeated Louisiana Tech 10-9. UNT trailed eight runs after three innings against Louisiana Tech.

Ashley Peters (10-3) recorded the win and pitched five innings while striking out five batters. Skylar Savage recorded her second save of her career and came in relief in the sixth inning. Savage pitched the final two innings and didn't allow a hit as the Mean Green completed the epic comeback.

Christensen led the Mean Green comeback with her fourth inning bomb and finished 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs and four RBI.

Lindsey Walljasper (9-4) was charged the loss after relieving Amelia Wiercioch in the sixth inning and striking out one batter. Wiercioch pitched five innings and struck out five batters.

Stacy Payton led the 49ers on offense finishing 2-for-3 at bat with one run.

UP NEXT
Game three of the series will be played Sunday at Noon CT at Sue M. Daughtridge Stadium in Charlotte as UNT aims to complete the series sweep. It will be broadcast on ESPN+.