University of North Texas
22-17, 11-5
Florida Atlantic
32-10, 12-4
Sparks, Wagoner Lead Softball to Victory
4/12/2024 10:41:00 PM | Softball
DENTON, Texas – Tatum Sparks hit a tie-breaking solo home run in the fourth inning to lead UNT softball to a 4-2 win over RV Florida Atlantic on Friday night at Lovelace Stadium.
"That [home run] was big," Sparks said. "It's no secret that I have been struggling a little bit but I'm seeing [the ball] well right now and I'm really glad I could do that for my team."
The Mean Green (22-17, 11-5) remained undefeated in home American Athletic Conference games and improved to 7-2 in two-run games this season. FAU (32-10, 12-4) opened the scoring with one run in both the first and second innings but were held to three hits on the night, its lowest output in seven-inning AAC contests this season.
McKenzie Wagoner (W, 8-5) entered with no outs and two runners on in the second and fired six scoreless innings in the victory. She collected two strikeouts and zero walks for her second career game with over four innings pitched, zero runs and zero walks. In her UNT debut, Wagoner threw 4 2/3 innings with zero runs, zero walks and 10 strikeouts a win in relief versus UIC on Feb. 10, 2023.
"My defense worked for me tonight," Wagoner said. "Our offense looked great tonight and we battled."
Lexi Cobb extended her season-long reached bases streak to seven games with a leadoff walk in the first and would later score on a sacrifice fly. She finished 1-for-2 with one run, two walks and one stolen base. The senior outfielder is hitting .409 over the last 10 games and has raised her batting average over 100 points.
Sparks also contributed the game-tying run in the second with an RBI single to score Molly Rainey from second base. She snapped a 15-game streak with one or fewer hits and ranks second on the team with six multi-hit efforts on the season.
North Texas added an insurance run in the sixth after pinch hitter Kat Ibarra drove a double into right field and later scored on a throwing error. In seven career games against the Owls, the UTSA transfer is 6-for-19 with six runs scored, two home runs, three doubles and two RBI.
UP NEXT
The Mean Green face Florida Atlantic in game two of its three-game series at Lovelace Stadium on Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN+. Fans can purchase tickets for the full series HERE.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wagoner, McKenzie (8-5)
L: Sacco, Gabby (9-3)
Batting:
RBI: Presutti, Cammeo 1
SF: Presutti, Cammeo 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Presutti, Cammeo 1 ; Moll, Megan 1
SB: Presutti, Cammeo 1
Batting:
2B: Ibarra, Kat 1
HR: Sparks, Tatum 1
RBI: Smith, Mikayla 1 ; Sparks, Tatum 2
SH: Simon, Cierra 1
SF: Smith, Mikayla 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cobb, Lexi 1 ; Rainey, Molly 1 ; Sparks, Tatum 1 ; Ibarra, Kat 1
SB: Cobb, Lexi 1 ; Grahmann, Emma 1
