Bladenboro native Abbey Walters slugged a home run and two doubles Friday to lead UNC-Pembroke to a softball double-header sweep Friday at Winston-Salem State by scores of 7-6 in 8 innings and 4-3.
Walters slammed a double to right field in the first inning of the opener and darted home on a throwing error to give the Lady Braves a 1-0 lead.
After the Lady Rams had taken a 5-3 lead on back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Walters relieved starting pitcher Katie Saunders in the circle and struck out the first batter she faced to end the inning.
Walters pitched 1.1 innings and gave up a run on a hit and a walk while striking out three batters. The Lady Braves rallied with 3 runs in the seventh to tie the game and scored the winning run on a fielder’s choice in the eighth.
In the first inning of the second game, Walters beat out an infield hit, stole second base and raced home on a throwing error.
After Jamie Johnson led off the third inning with a double, Walters blasted a 2-run home run to left field to put UNC-Pembroke ahead 4-0.
The West Bladen grad walloped a double to left-centerfield in the fifth inning but was stranded at third base.
In Thursday’s double-header at home against Limestone, Walters belted 2 singles and stole 2 bases in the first game, but the Lady Braves dropped a 3-1 decision.
In the second game against Limestone, Walters lined a single down the right field line to drive in Johnson and put UNC-P in front 1-0. However Limestone scored 5 runs in the third inning and won the game 5-2.
Walters leads the Lady Braves in batting average (.441), on base percentage (.442), slugging percentage (.677), hits (56), doubles (13) and stolen bases (19). She is tied for the team lead in home runs (5) and is second in runs scored (25).
The Lady Braves, now 16-19-1, will travel to Barton Tuesday for a double-header beginning at 2 p.m.
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