Story Courtesy Western Carolina sports information
Western Carolina 10-7, South Carolina State 0-1
CULLOWHEE, NC - Commemorating the opening of the new, on-campus softball facility, the Western Carolina Catamounts swept the home-opening, doubleheader on Sunday afternoon, defeating South Carolina State 10-0 in five innings and 7-1 in seven. The wins push Western to 3-1 on the young season, a perfect 2-0 inside the friendly confines of the Catamount Softball Complex.
Western was led by freshman Allyson McCubbins and sophomore Heather Pritchard, who each hit a combined .500 in the two games. McCubbins was 3-of-6 at the plate, including tallying the program's first double in her first at bat in the bottom of the first inning in game one. She would also add a two bagger in game two. Pritchard went 2-for-4 on the afternoon, leading the team with three RBI. Freshman Samm Keppel recorded the first stolen base in the Catamount program, swiping two on the afternoon.
Game one opened with a rare walk by WCU starter, freshman Mendy McKenzie as leadoff hitter Yeshira Butler drew the base on balls. The free pass was the first - and would prove to be the only - issued by McKenzie on the day and in her career thus far. McKenzie rallied, though, to strike out the second batter she faced, SCSU's Krystal Anthony. After Butler stole second, the Bulldogs grounded back to the mound and McKenzie initiated the 1-6-3 put out, leaving Tiffanie Lewis on first with a fielders choice. The final batter of the inning bounced into a force play at second as short stop Mollie Fowler flipped to Samm Keppel to end the threat.
In the bottom of the inning, Western came out of the box swinging. McCubbins tallied the game's first hit, which was the program's first-ever double. After a fly out to left, Fowler doubled, driving in McCubbins for the early, 1-0, lead. Fowler would score the second run of the inning after a ground out and error, the latter putting freshman Lauren Ross on first. A second error in the frame moved Ross around and Ashley Adams climbed aboard before three-consecutive walks to Keppel, Nikki Bost, and Pritchard plated two additional runs for the 4-0 lead after one.
Western scored at least one run in each of the next three innings, with the lone tally in the bottom of the second coming off a home run hit by freshman Stephanie Beatty, her first and the first in Catamount Softball Complex history. In both the third and fourth, WCU took advantage of walks to push the advantage to 10, ending after the top of the fifth by rule. Pritchard, Beatty, and pinch hitter Beth Hauser, who doubled in the bottom of the fourth, each drove in two runs apiece.
McKenzie (2-0) earned her second win of the season, fanning nine in five innings of work while scattering three hits and walking just the one. In her two starts this season, McKenzie has recorded an ERA of 0.58 while giving up just one run on eight hits with the single walk in 12.0 total innings. South Carolina State starter, Tatrika Polite, was saddled with her second loss of the season, falling to 1-2 after pitching 3.2 innings and allowing all 10
In the second game, Western scored all of its runs in the first three innings to complete the sweep, 7-1. The Catamounts used a three-run first inning to set the tone as Fowler singled and was sacrificed to second by Beatty. Ross drove in her team-best fourth run of the season with a double to right center, plating Fowler for the 1-0 lead. Ross would later score after junior Ashley Adams walked and Hauser and McCubbins delivered back-to-back singles, with the latter earning the RBI. Adams tallied the innings final run, scoring on an error by the Bulldog second baseman.
McCubbins was in the middle of the four-run third for the Catamounts, doubling down the left field line to open the inning and scoring on a Keppel RBI single into right. After stealing second, Keppel moved to third, scoring freshman pitcher Jenny Jackson who drew a walk, when Pritchard singled to left field. The final two runs of the inning came on Bulldog errors as Keppel and Pritchard each touched the plate as direct results of SCSU infield miscues.
South Carolina State (2-5) managed to scratch the scoreboard in the top of the seventh inning. With two out and a 1-2 count, freshman Emerald Freeman belted a solo shot over the left field fence to provide the final tally.
Jackson earned her first career win, scattering five hits, including the long ball in the top of the seventh, while striking out and walking three in seven innings of work. Sophomore Yeshira Butler took the loss, giving up seven runs and two walks while striking out five through six innings.
Story Courtesy Georgia Southern sports information
Georgia Southern 4, Charleston Southern 2
Troy 4, Georgia Southern 1
STATESBORO, GA - The Georgia Southern Softball team played two games Sunday (Feb. 19) to wrap up the 2006 GSU Invitational, held on Eagle Field. The Eagles defeated Charleston Southern 4-2 and moved on to face Troy University, who used pitching and defense to subdue Georgia Southern 4-1. Because of overnight rain, play was limited to one field on Sunday, with the Eagles taking on the Lady Bucs in the 8 a.m. opening contest.
Charleston Southern struck first off of Eagle starter Melissa Laliberte (Cobourg, Ontario, Canada/St. Mary’s SS) in the bottom of the first inning. With two on and one out, Ashley Robinson of CSU scored on a wild pitch from Laliberte. One batter later, Jennifer Brooks singled through the right side to drive in Tiffany Reid.
Laliberte settled down after that however, and the Eagles came back in the top of the third to tie the score at 2-2, then added the two insurance runs in the fifth. In the third, Carolynn Chin (St. Petersburg, Fla./Dixie Hollins) led off the inning with a walk and was advanced to third off of a single from Shanita Black (Fayetteville, N.C./Seventy-First) and a sacrifice bunt from Aurora Johnson (Macon, Ga./Westside). Gina Sterchi (Chattanooga, Tenn./Girls Prep) then hit a double to center, scoring both Chin and Black.
The fifth inning saw Johnson and Sterchi reach base on walks. Jordyn Nail (Swainsboro, Ga./Swainsboro pinch ran for Johnson and Maria Laurato (New Orleans, La./Isadore Newman) drove in both runners on a double to right-center.
Laliiberte would cruise the rest of the way for the complete game win, allowing six hits, two earned runs, two walks and striking out 14.
The University of Louisville and University of Maryland both had earned higher seeds in the tournament, but because of travel plans, agreed to play a head-to-head game and forfeit the right to move on to the championship game. That left Georgia Southern, with their victory over CSU to play Troy University in the final game of the Invitational.
In that game, Troy used several outstanding defensive plays, and one offensive home run to down the Eagles 4-1. In the bottom of the fifth, with Troy already up 2-0 and one on, second baseman Brooke Powell homered down the left field line off of Eagle pitcher A.J. Street (Lilburn, Ga./Parkview) to give the Trojans a 4-0 lead. The Eagles lone run came in the bottom of the seventh when Heather Smith (Williamson, Ga./Pike County) reached on an error, and after advancing to third on two groundouts, was singled home by Street.
The Eagles next host Georgia State in a double header this Wednesday (Feb. 22) at Eagle Field before making their second road trip of the season to Columbia, S.C. to participate in the Gamecock Round Robin.
Story Courtesy College of Charleston sports information
Hofstra 5, College of Charleston 1
South Florida 1, College of Charleston 0
TAMPA, FL - The College of Charleston fell to Hofstra 5-1 Sunday at the USF Wilson Invitational in Tampa, Fla. despite out-hitting the Pride on offense.
Charleston earned six hits while committing no errors but only scored one run as Hofstra earned five runs on five hits including a solo homerun. The Cougars fall to 1-2 on the season along with pitcher Shannon Howard who has been the pitcher of record in all three of CofC's games.
The Cougars will go on to face host USF later today with game time scheduled for 1:30 p.m. The Bulls are 3-4 heading into today's matchup with the Cougars. Hofstra improves to 2-0 on the season with the win.
Jessica Lyness earned two hits on three at bats with one RBI, an assist and a putout.
The Pride loaded the bases in the top of the third and scored two runs with a single to the shortstop. Hoftra then added two more runs in the inning as the Pride scored on a sacrifice fly to deep right and on a double to left-center.
Tara Ulrich would belt Hofstra's first home run of the season in the top of the fifth as she sent a solo shot to left-center to give the pride a 5-0 lead.
Charleston would add a run in the bottom of the seventh as Lyness drove home Shondra Schlichenmayer to avoid the shutout as the final would be 5-1.
The College of Charleston Softball team suffered its third straight setback at the USF Wilson Invitational falling to the host Bulls 1-0 Sunday in front of a crowd of 319.
The Cougars fall to 1-3 on the year as USF evens their record at 4-4. Amber Havnar earned her first start of her collegiate career giving up only one run on four hits for Charleston.
For the second game in a row the Cougars out-hit their opponents, with the Cougars earning six hits to USF's four. No errors were committed by either team. The Bulls' lone run came on a Christie Chapman homerun.
Chapman launched a solo homerun to right to break the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead. Charleston managed to get runners on second and third in their half of the inning but was unable to capitalize on the situation.
Story Courtesy Furman sports information
Middle Tennessee 3, Furman 1
AUBURN, AL - Middle Tennessee State struck for two runs with two outs in the top of the fifth inning to overcome a 1-0 deficit and down Furman 3-1 in softball action Sunday morning at the War Eagle Classic in Auburn, Ala.
With two outs in the fifth, Shelby Stiner and Kristine Reed laced back-to-back doubles to left field to knot the game at 1-1. Muriel Ledbetter followed with a single to right and Reed scored when the base hit was misplayed by rightfielder Amber Nelsen. Blake Murray entered the game in relief of starter Vanessa Williams and retired the side.
Samantha Floyd added to the Blue Raiders' lead with an RBI double scoring Justine Cerda in the top of the seventh.
Furman took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Stephanie Cushing reached on a two-out single and scored when Megan Jaudon's fly ball to right field was misplayed.
Laura Moore improved to 1-2 with the victory. Moore worked 5.1 innings allowing no earned runs on two hits while striking out four. Trish White earned the save tossing 1.2 innings without allowng a hit. Floyd went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI to lead the Blue Raiders.
Williams, 1-2, took the loss for Furman. The freshman allowed one earned run on seven hits in 4.2 innings of work. Wiliams struck out four and walked one.
Jacksonville State 1, Furman 0
Carly Kellam tossed a complete game, two-hit shutout to guide Jacksonville State to a 1-0 victory over Furman in softball action Sunday afternoon at the War Eagle Classic in Auburn, Ala.
Kellam recorded seven strikeouts while surrendering just one walk to improve to 1-1 on the season.
The Gamecocks scratched across the game's only run in the top of the sixth inning. Daniela Pappano greeted Furman reliever Blake Murray with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Jacksonville State loaded the bases when Maigin Alexander drew a base on balls and Murray hit Whitney Elder. Pappano raced home on a wild pitch to tally the game-winning run.
After Murray issued a walk to Alana Hicks, freshman Vanessa Williams entered the game and retired all five batters she faced in 1.2 innings of work.
The Lady Paladins threatened in the fourth inning with singles from Megan Jaudon and Lynn Parmer, but Kellam struck out Abby Robertson to end the frame.
Murray (1-1) suffered the loss after retiring just one of the five batters she faced in the sixth inning. Senior Jessica Mathis proved to be the tough-luck loser for Furman. Mathis worked five innings allowing just to hits while taking a no decision.
With the loss, Furman drops to 3-5 on the season while Jacksonville State improves to 4-1.
Story Courtesy Appalachian State sports information
Marshall 9, Appalachian State 1
Winthrop 1, Appalachian State 0
ATHENS, GA - The Appalachian State University softball team closed out the final day of the Georgia Classic, falling to Marshall, 9-1, and Wintrop, 1-0 Sunday afternoon. The Mountaineers closed the season-opening tournament 0-6, despite showing marked improvement in each game.
Appalachian surrendered just one run one on one hit in the closing loss, but couldn’t overcome Winthrop’s first inning score as the Eagles also tossed a one-hitter the Mountaineers way in the noon game.
Freshman Kayla Richardson got the starting nod in the final game but was pulled after just two batters following a double from Tessa Thomas. Freshman southpaw Yancy Moose came in and got off to a shaky start, walking the second batter she faced and hitting another later in the inning. The Eagles got their run in the inning courtesy of a passed ball before Moose put the clamps on the Eagles’ bats, throwing five and two-third hitless innings and striking out seven batters.
Appalachian’s offense failed to get a hit off Winthrop’s Julie Harvey until the top of the seventh inning when freshman Brittany Gaston singled to left center. Lindsay Glover advanced Gaston to second on a sacrifice bunt to put her in scoring position, but Winthrop managed to retire the next two batters to pick up the victory. Richardson was charged with the loss and falls to 0-2 on the season.
Appalachian faced Marshall for the second time in the morning game, losing 9-1 to the Thundering Herd.
Marshall posted four runs in the top of the second inning, the first coming on a Deanna Tourville home run to left center to lead off the inning. The Herd added another when Jessica Willams drove home Ashley Mitchell with a double down the line. Marshall closed out its scoring in the frame with a two-run shot from Rachel Folden.
ASU starting pitcher Keri Blackwelder was pulled after the second inning and replaced by freshman Teri Fister who also gave up a home run to Tourville in the top of the fourth inning. Fister kept the Herd at bay until the top of the sixth when Marshall brought four runs across the plate.
The Mountaineers got their lone run in the bottom of the sixth when Diana Cook hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed Ashely Gaston to score. Unfortunately, ASU couldn’t cut any further into Marshall’s 8-run lead as the game was called.
Junior Lindsay Glover had two of the Mountaineers’ five hits in the loss. Marshall picked up 12 hits off ASU’s pitching.
Story Courtesy UNC Greensboro sports information
Virginia Tech 3-9, UNC Greensboro 0-1
CHARLOTTE, NC ? The UNC Greensboro softball team lost two games to Virginia Tech at the Charlotte Green & White Tournament on Sunday. The first game of the day, which originally started on Saturday, but was halted in the fifth inning due to inclement weather, was won 3-0 by the Hokies. Later in the afternoon, Virginia Tech downed the Spartans 9-1 to garner championship honors in the tourney, which was hosted by Charlotte University.
It took just over 25 hours to complete, but the Hokies’ Alisia Narodowski's RBI single in the sixth inning proved to be the difference in the game that began at 12 noon on Saturday.
Tech starter Angela Tincher was in complete control from the beginning, striking out 19 hitters in 7.0 innings of work. She gave up two singles and walked one to run her record to 2-0.
UNCG had a chance to take an early lead in the first when Lyndsay Mouse reached on an error and Jennifer Bonilla singled to the gap. Both runners moved up on a passed ball, but Tincher settled down to strike out the next two batters to end the inning.
When the game resumed on Sunday, the Hokies broke through in the sixth. With one out, Caitlin Murphy singled up the middle and was pinch run for by Crystal Beach. Kelly Brown singled to left field and both moved up on a double steal. Beach scored the game’s first run when Narodowski singled through the left side. Beth Walker then smacked a two-RBI double off the fence to make it 3-0.
Freshman Hannah Angel went the distance for UNCG (0-5), allowing three runs on six hits. She struck out two. Bonilla and Adriane Audley each had a single for the Spartans.
In the second game of the day, Callie Rhodes singled, stole second base, moved to third on a sac bunt and scored on Brown's double to left field in the first. In the second, Walker scored on a suicide squeeze bunt single by Caroline Stolle. Brown then drove in two more runs with a single up the middle, making it 4-0.
UNCG got on the board in the fourth when Leslie Furness smacked her first collegiate home run to left field. Tech got those runs back in the sixth when Charisse Mariconda doubled down the line with two outs to score Ota and Brown.
In the seventh, Brown doubled in three runs to make it 9-1. Katie Maynard (3-0) went 4.0 innings, allowing one run on two hits. She struck out seven while not giving up any walks. Tincher pitched the final three innings, allowing no hits, two walks while striking out six in picking up the save.
Story Courtesy Chattanooga sports information
Southern Miss 4, Chattanooga 1
Louisiana-Lafayette 8, Chattanooga 0
LAFAYETTE, LA - The Lady Mocs fell 4-1 to Southern Miss in its first game Sunday then lost in five to the 16th-ranked Louisiana Cajuns on the final day of the Ragin’ Cajun Invitational in Lafayette. La.
In the first game, the Golden Eagles used pair of doubles and aggressive base running to answer a Chattanooga run in the top of the fifth.
Kristin Pilgrim led off the USM half of the fifth inning and was hit by a pitch from JayCee Wood. Melissa Prouty tried a sacrifice bunt, but popped up to Wood for the first out. That was the last break the Lady Mocs would get as the Golden Eagles would uncork three straight RBI base hits to claim the lead.
Charity Butler began to unravel Wood when she laced on a double deep into right center field scoring pinch runner Courtney Kelly to tie the game. Aggressive base running allowed Butler to advance to third on the throw home. It proved worthy as Ashley Brenan dropped a single just inside the left field line to score Butler and give USM a 2-1 lead.
Brenan stole second base on the next at bat. Jessica Huerta followed with a double to almost the same spot as Butler’s to score Brenan. Huerta’s heads-up base running moved her to third base on the relay throw home and it paid off as she was in position to tag up of an Ashley Davis foul out and score USM’s fourth run of the inning.
That was all the scoring that the Golden Eagles would need as Wymer worked her way out of jams in the sixth and seventh innings. The Lady Mocs would get two runners on in both innings, but would leave them stranded.
The game began as a pitcher’s duel between Wymer and Wood. The first hit didn’t come until the second inning ? a USM single by Jennifer Fox. Wymer carried a no-hitter for the Golden Eagles into the fifth inning before Chattanooga struck two doubles to plate their one run of the contest.
Wymer collected her first victory of the season. She went seven innings and allowed only four hits ? none until the top of the fifth ? and struck out three.
Wood, who entered with a 2-0 tournament record, surrendered four runs on five hits while striking out five USM batters.
In its rematch against Louisiana, the game started bumpy and continued from there. With two runners on base, designated player Holly Tankersley hit a homerun over the fence in right field to put the 16th-ranked Cajuns up 3-0.
Head Coach Frank Reed made a pitching change and put Brittney Whittier in the circle to pitch the game. She gave up a single and got the remaining two outs on a fly out and a strike out swinging. The Cajuns plated a run in each of the next two innings to take a 5-0 lead.
In the fifth, Louisiana put three more runs on the board with a walk and a pair of homeruns making the score 8-0. Krystal Lewallen struck out the final three batters in the bottom of the fifth to get the run-rule win for the Cajuns, making them the winners of their tournament.
Story Courtesy Elon sports information
GREENVILLE, NC - The Elon University softball team fashioned a 4-1 record at the Holiday Inn Express Pirate Classic hosted by East Carolina. The Phoenix took wins over Towson, Bucknell, Ohio and Army while also falling to Army.
In the first game of the tournament, Towson took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Elon knotted the game after a two-run fifth inning. With two outs, Paige Goss reached first on an error by the Tiger third baseman. Goss stole second base before Tracey Dahlen walked to put runners on first and second. A double from Debbie Zeigler sent both of them home to tie the score 2-2.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, with Goss on second and Dahlen on first, Zeigler singled, scoring Goss and giving Elon the 3-2 win.
Whitney Meeks (1-0) picked up the win for Elon after hurling a complete game and giving up two runs on four hits while striking out two.
In the second game on Friday, Elon earned an 18-3 win over Bucknell. The Phoenix recorded nine runs in the first inning and eight in the second to start the game. Bucknell tallied two runs in the second inning and one in the third before Elon added another un in the fifth inning. For Elon, Dahlen went 3-for-4 from the plate with two RBI, Jaimie Rao was 3-for-5 with two RBI, Laurin Smith was 3-for-5 with three RBI and Nicole Ellis was 2-for-4 with three RBI. Goss, Zeigler and Brandi Jones each recorded two RBI for the Phoenix.
Samantha Schroeder (1-0) posted the win after throwing five innings and giviing up three runs (two earned) on nine hits while striking out three batters.
Elon fell 6-1 to Army in the first game on Saturday. Army got on the board first when it scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning. The Black Knights added three more in the bottom of the fifth.
Elon responded with one run in the top of the sixth. Goss reached base on an error before a sacrifice bunt by Dahlen moved her to second. Goss advanced to third on a passed ball before a ground out by Zeigler scored Goss.
Carol Lilley (0-1) suffered the loss for the Phoenix after throwing 4.2 innings and giving up six runs on five hits. Meeks tossed 1.1 innings and gave up no run on no hits while striking out one batter.
In the second game of the day, the Phoenix downed Ohio 7-5. Ohio scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning to go ahead 3-0. Elon responded with a run in the top of the second. Rebecca Rijavec doubled to lead off the inning before advancing to third on a passed ball and then scoring on another passed ball to cut the Ohio lead to two, 3-1.
Elon took the lead after a three-run sixth inning. After two errors and a walk loaded the bases, a fielder's choice from Smith scored one to cut the lead to one, 3-2. With runners on first and third, Brandi Jones singled to left field to score Zeigler from third. Rao then singled to center field to score Smith and give Elon a 4-3 advantage.
Elon posted three more runs in the top of the seventh inning. With runners on first and second, Rijavec knocked her first Elon homerun to put Elon ahead 7-3. The Bobcats recorded two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but Elon was able to stop the scoring threat and take a 7-5 win.
Schroeder (2-0) posted the win for Elon after tossing a complete game and giving up five runs on seven hits while striking out one batter.
In Sunday's rematch with Army, Elon took a 10-3 victory. Elon got on the board first with one run in the top of the second inning. With runners on first and second, Ellis singled to score Patt Weber and give Elon a 1-0 lead. The Phoenix added another run in the top of the third when Rao knocked a sacrifice fly to score Dahlen from third.
Elon added two runs in the top of the fourth inning. After Erica Ayala walked and advanced to second on a passed ball, Weber knocked a double to plate Ayala. Weber later scored from third on a passed ball to go ahead 4-0. In the fifth inning, Courtney Milligan scored on a sacrifice fly from Ayala to put Elon up 5-0.
Army put two runs on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the lead to three at 5-2.
In the top of the sixth, Dahlen knocked a two-run homer and Zeigler hit a solo homerun to put Elon up 8-2. Army scored again in the bottom of the inning, but Elon added two more runs in the seventh on a two-run homer from Jones to take the 10-3 win.
Schroeder (3-0) tallied the win for Elon. She threw five innings and gave up two runs on four hits while retiring three batters. Lilley tossed an inning for the Phoenix and gave up on run on one hit. Meeks threw the final inning for Elon and gave up no runs on two hits.