WILMINGTON, N.C. – The host UNCW Seahawks claimed an early lead before pulling away for a 5-2 decision over Lafayette softball on Saturday evening at Boseman Field.   
 
UNCW scored a run in the third inning on a Becca Merrick single and then added two more in the fourth inning via a Madison Biddle RBI-triple and a Cassidy Relay infield single. The Seahawks led 3-0.  
 
The Leopards answered with two runs in the top of the fifth. Junior Katie Harrington followed Ava Butler's lead-off single with a triple. Harrington went the remaining 60 feet on a passed ball to cut the lead to 3-2.
 
UNCW closed out the game with a pair of insurance runs in the sixth inning.
 
In the circle, Jordan Goedel, pitched the final four innings. She came out of the bullpen after the first pitch of third inning in relief of starter Marisa Powell (2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 3 BB). Goedel allowed three earned runs on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Taylor Barlow tossed four innings for the win, while Makayla Huddleston collected a three-inning save featuring five strikeouts.
 
Because of the impending winter storm slated for the Northeast, Sunday's game vs. Iona has been canceled, allowing the teams an earlier start to travel. The Leopards will next be in action on Friday at the Spring in the Springs tournament hosted by Gardner-Webb.