PEMBROKE – West Bladen grad Abbey Walters batted 5-for-8 with a triple, 2 runs scored, 2 runs batted in and 2 stolen bases Wednesday as her UNC-Pembroke Lady Braves split a Peach Belt Conference double-header with Francis Marion.
UNC-Pembroke won the first game 6-5 on Taylor Gephart’s walk-off home run.
Walters smacked a third inning single, then beat out an infield hit in the fifth inning. The Bladenboro native raced all the way to third base on a Gephart single, and scored on Toni Nelson’s 2-run double.
Francis Marion scored 3 runs in the top of the seventh and claimed an 8-4 victory in the nightcap. Walters went the distance in the circle for UNC-P giving up 8 runs – 4 earned – on 10 hits and no walks, while striking out five.
Walters ripped a single through the left side to drive in Jamie Johnson and tie the game 1-1 in the home half of the first. Walters stole second base and darted home on a Nelson double for a 2-1 UNC-P lead.
In the fifth inning, Walters beat out an infield hit and stole second base but was stranded there. In the sixth inning, Walters blasted a triple to rightfield that scored Whitney Jackson and trimmed the Francis Marion lead to 5-4.
Walters raised her batting average to .488 that is third best in the Peach Belt. She also leads the Lady Braves in hits (40), doubles (10), on-base percentage (.488) and slugging percentage (.707).
The Lady Braves are now 3-1 in the Peach Belt and 12-9-1 overall. UNC-Pembroke will travel to Columbus State Saturday for a 1 p.m. double-header.
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