UNCW softball team defeats ECU in final non-conference game of regular season

GREENVILLE, NC (UNCW) — Freshman Hannah Adamczyk and junior Merritt Wilkinson combined to post seven hits with three runs batted in as UNCW claimed its third consecutive victory with a 4-3 win over East Carolina at ECU Softball Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The Seahawks, who were playing their final non-conference game of the regular season, upped their record to 25-18 while handing East Carolina (20-27) its third straight defeat.

Adamczyk set a season high by going 4-for-4 with two doubles and a run batted in while Wilkinson matched her season high with three hits in addition to a run scored and two runs batted in.

Freshman Laurel Koontz earned her first career win in the circle after allowing one run on three hits in 2.0 innings of relief. Junior Peyton Jordan recorded her second save of the season after scattering just two hits in 1.2 innings.

Senior shortstop Casey Alcorn led the Pirates in the loss with two hits and a run scored while sophomore first baseman Rebecca Perrell blasted the first home run of her college career with a two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth inning.

How It Happened: The Seahawks overcame a 1-0 lead with four unanswered runs, including three in the fifth inning. Wilkinson drove in two runs with a single before Adamczyk doubled to increase the advantage to 3-1. Sophomore Sarah Davis upped the margin to 4-1 with a double in the sixth inning before Perrell’s two-run homer in the bottom of the frame.

Inside the Box Score: UNCW was 10-for-15 in advancement opportunities and 7-for-14 with runners on base … East Carolina was just 1-for-10 in two-out situations … UNCW pitchers induced 11 ground ball outs and eight fly ball outs … East Carolina catcher Ashley Weingartz threw out two UNCW runners trying to steal in three chances.

#SeahawkStats: UNCW evened its road record to 4-4 this season … The Seahawks recorded 10 or more hits for the seventh time this season, improving their mark to 6-1 in those games … Adamczyk became the second UNCW player to post a four-hit game this season after Rachel Willis accomplished the feat against Campbell on Mar. 29 … The Seahawks have defeated East Carolina in four straight meetings … Freshman pitcher Haley Lenderman has not allowed a run in her last 12.0 innings after throwing two scoreless frames against ECU on Wednesday … The Seahawks have compiled a 21-11 non-conference record this year … UNCW is now 19-2 when scoring at least four runs.

Up Next for the Seahawks: UNCW returns to Colonial Athletic Association play this weekend with a three-game series against Elon. The Seahawks and the Phoenix are scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 23, before a single game on Sunday, Apr. 24.