GREENSBORO, N.C. – Only one No.4 UNCG batter reached base as redshirt-senior
Mollie Hanson dealt her second career seven inning no-hitter in a 3-0 victory for No.1 Samford University on Thursday, May 12, at the Southern Conference Championship Tournament. Hanson's only other seven inning no-hitter came coincidentally against UNCG on March 10, 2013 on the same field.
"Couldn't be more proud of our battery today." Head Coach
Mandy Burford said. "Mollie, (Abby) Sweeney and Coach Erin (Arevalo) all did an outstanding with the pitch calling and placement."
The Bulldogs (38-18) allowed one Spartan (33-25) baserunner to reach in the top of first inning as Allison Geiner reached on a fumbled ground ball to
Lexie Higgins at shortstop.
After that miscue Hanson and the Bulldogs defense was perfect retiring the next 20 UNCG batters in a row. The Dothan, Alabama native recorded four strikeouts with zero walks and faced a total of 22 batters.
Hanson's seven inning complete game no-hitter is only the third in SoCon Championship Tournament history with one each occurring the previous two tournaments.
Hanson received offensive support from junior
Abbie Miranda as she was responsible for all three of the Bulldogs runs in the contest. The Vestavia Hills, Alabama native was 2 for 3 in the contest with both hits going for home runs.
"Kudos to Miranda." Burford said. "The kid is a fighter. She rises to the occasion as well as anyone I've coached or played with."
Miranda put the Bulldogs on the on top fourth inning with her first home run of the day after junior catcher
Abby Sweeney reached on a hit by pitch. Miranda made the Spartans pay in her very next at bat in the sixth inning with a solo home run to left field that gave Samford a 3-0 lead headed into the final frame.
Samford tallied six total hits in the contest with
Shelby Maze going 2 for 3 with a double along with
Megan Dowdy and
Lexie Higgins recording a hit a piece.
The Bulldogs will continue play in the SoCon Championship Tournament tomorrow and will face the winner of the No.6 Chattanooga and No.7 Mercer contest tomorrow at 11 a.m. CST.
