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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong
PEMBROKE – Bladenboro native Abbey Walters slugged a 3-run home run and picked up her ninth pitching win as UNC-Pembroke swept their Peach Belt Conference opening double-header from USC-Aiken by scores of 11-3 and 2-0.
Walters pitched all 5 innings in the Lady Braves’ 11-3 mercy-rule victory in Saturday’s opener. The senior righthander struck out 3 and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk as she raised her record to 9-1 on the season.
The West Bladen grad ripped a single to left-centerfield in the first inning but was stranded at third base. The Lady Braves trailed 3-1 entering the home half of the fourth, but pushed one run across before Walters blasted the 3-run homer over the leftfield fence to vault UNC-P ahead 5-3.
In the fifth inning Walters belted a single to rightfield to drive in a run, stole second base and scored the game-ending run on Taylor Gephart’s single.
Walters finished 3-4 at the plate with 4 runs-batted-in and 2 runs scored.
Freshman Malerie Leviner, a Whiteville grad, pitched a 2-hit shutout and struck out seven in the second game for UNC-Pembroke.
Walters cracked a third-inning single and stole a base to finish 1-3 at the plate in the nightcap.
The Lady Braves have now won ten games in a row and are 17-4 overall and 2-0 in the PBC. UNC-Pembroke will host Lander Sunday at 1 p.m. in another PBC double-header.
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