03/28/2024
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Abbey WaltersWest Bladen grad Abbey Walters batted 8-14, slugged 2 home runs and ran her consecutive game hitting streak to 14 games as her UNC-Pembroke Lady Braves split a pair of weekend Peach Belt Conference double-headers.

In Saturday’s opener at Columbus State, the Lady Braves trailed 3-0 when Walters blasted a home run over the centerfield fence to start a 4-run winning rally in the seventh inning.

Teammate Jamie Johnson capped the rally with a 2-run single to centerfield. Walters laced a single to centerfield in the fourth inning and finished 2-3 at the plate for the game.

Walters started in the circle in Saturday’s second game but pitched only one inning allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out one. She was charged with the loss, and her record dropped to 3-3.

The Bladenboro native smacked a single to rightfield in the third inning to drive in the lone Lady Brave run in the 5-1 loss.

Sunday afternoon the Lady Braves split a double-header at Georgia Southwestern in Americus, GA. UNC-Pembroke rolled to an 11-0 victory, before dropping a tough 5-4 decision in the nightcap.

Walters hammered a double to leftfield in the first inning but was stranded at third base as UNC-P jumped in front 2-0. The junior rightfielder belted a single to left-centerfield in the second inning as the Lady Brave lead grew to 4-0.

In the fifth inning Walters ripped a 2-run single through the left side then scored on Taylor Gephart’s 3-run homer as the Lady Braves scored 5 runs to end the game on the mercy rule.

UNC-Pembroke blew a 4-0 lead and dropped a tough 5-4 decision in the nightcap. Walters cracked a 2-out single in the first inning and stole second base but a line-out ended the inning.

After a Whitney Jackson double in the third inning, Walters blasted a 2-run homer. Teammate Jamie Johnson walloped a 2-run homer in the fourth to put UNC-Pembroke up 4-0.

Walters started in the pitching circle and sailed through the first 3 scoreless innings, giving up only a pair of walks. However, three hits, a walk and an error led to a trio of Southwestern runs in the bottom of the fourth.

The Hurricanes tied the game in the fifth on a 2-base throwing error and a pair of infield outs.

Walters pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 runs – 2 earned – on 3 hits and 6 walks while striking out six. Katie Saunders came on to pitch the seventh and walked in the winning run.

After the 8-14 weekend, Walters leads the Lady Braves in hits (48), batting average (.500) on-base percentage (.500), slugging percentage (.760), doubles (11), home runs (4), and is tied for the team lead in runs batted in (26) and stolen bases (14).

Walters lowered her earned run average to 3.40 and has 3 complete games and a 3-3 record with one save.

UNC-Pembroke is now 5-3 in the Peach Belt and 14-11-1 overall. The Lady Braves will travel to Newberry, SC for a non-conference double-header Wednesday beginning at 2 p.m.

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