University of North Texas
ECU
Softball Falls at ECU
5/2/2025 10:57:00 PM | Softball
GREENVILLE, N.C. – UNT softball dropped game one 7-5 against ECU on Friday night at Max R. Joyner Family Stadium.
North Texas (34-18, 16-9) fought back from a first inning two-run deficit to tie at 2-2 before the Pirates (27-25, 12-13) plated five runs, all unearned, in the third inning. After the two sides completed five innings, inclement weather forced a three-hour delay.
Out of the delay, the Mean Green stormed back in the sixth as Riley McNemar connected for a two-run double to cut the lead to 7-5. The double marked McNemar's third hit of the night to match her career high while she added a game high three RBI.
Senior Rylee Nicholson set up the inning with a leadoff single before she stole her 22nd base of the season to tie the UNT single-season record. Additionally, fellow senior Cierra Simon added one stolen base, and she stands one shy of matching Nicholson and Kelli Schkade (2015-17) for first place in single-season program history.
Gracie Maloney threw 3 1/3 hitless innings after she entered as a reliever in the third inning. She matched her career high of two strikeouts and walked only one batter for the night. Skylar Savage (L, 15-8) took the loss after she gave up seven unearned runs over 2 2/3 innings pitched.
Down 7-5 entering the seventh inning, Madison Conley led off with a single but was left stranded after the Mean Green were unable to capitalize with the tying run at the plate in three tries.
Despite the loss, North Texas clinched a top four seed at the American Athletic Conference Championship after Wichita State lost at Memphis. The No. 3 and No. 4 seeds of the conference tournament receive a bye to the quarterfinal round which will be held on Thursday in Tampa, Fla.
UP NEXT
The Mean Green wrap up the regular season with a Saturday doubleheader against ECU beginning at noon CT from Max R. Joyner Family Stadium.
