Lipscomb Takes Two from Western Carolina in Sunday Softball Action
Nashville, Tenn. ? Western Carolina surrendered three home runs while only managing 10 hits through two games on Sunday, dropping its second-consecutive doubleheader to open the 2007 season. Lipscomb scored in the bottom of the first and held the Catamounts a bay to take the opening game, 1-0, then pounded out 10 hits en route to a two-game sweep by a 5-1 tally.
Lipscomb’s Julia Davidson provided what would prove to be the game-winning run in the opening game with a solo homer to left field in the home half of the first inning. The Catamounts were not without opportunities, though, as WCU had its leadoff runner aboard in six of the seven innings, stranding that runner each time.
In the top of the first, sophomore Heather Pritchard doubled to left field to open the game and stole third to put runner 60-feet away from an early lead. But three strikeouts left the Hudson, N.C., native stranded on third. Western would not advance a runner past second the remainder of the contest.
Four Catamounts finished 1-for-3 in the first game as Pritchard, freshman Serena Smith, and sophomores Stephanie Beatty and Mendy McKenzie each picked up a hit. McKenzie was saddled with her second loss of the season, allowing four hits and one earned run in six innings of work while striking out five and walking three.
In game two of the twin bill, Western (0-4) plated the tying run in the top of the third to knot things at one all. But a four-run Lady Bison fifth inning, including a pair of two-run home runs, broke the game open for the 5-1 finish.
Down by one, McKenzie delivered a one-out single and was advanced to second by Pritchard, who led the team in sacrifice hits a year ago. Catamount heavy hitter Ashley Adams drove in her team-high third run of the season with a double to score McKenzie.
However, WCU was unable to push a runner past second base the remainder of the game, dropping its fourth-straight to open the season.
McKenzie led the Catamounts with a perfect 3-for-3 showing at the plate in the second game, tallying a trio of singles. Beatty, Adams and Pritchard each went 1-for-3 with Adams recording Western’s lone extra base hit.
WCU starter, sophomore Savannah Filley, suffered her first defeat of the season, tossing four and two thirds innings allowing five earned runs on nine hits, including both long balls, with one strikeout. McKenzie came on in relief tossing an inning and a third of one-hit softball while striking out two.
Western will try for its first win of the season this Wednesday, Feb. 14, as it travels to Columbia to face the South Carolina Gamecocks. First pitch of the single game is scheduled for 4:00 pm.
Cougars Top Gardner Webb, 4-1, Fall to No. 2 Tennessee 11-1
The College of Charleston got its first win of the season ? a 4-1 decision over Gardner Webb ? behind the efforts of Terri Mesko who gave up four hits, a run and fanned six in seven innings of work and her first collegiate win at the Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Brittany Small led the Charleston (1-3) offense as she went 2-for-2 at the plate and scored two runs. Izmena Cabrera, Kristie Shifflett and Mesko were 2-for- at the plate. Shifflett scored her first collegiate homerun.
Gardner Webb (1-3) was led by Mandy Ward at the plate as she went 2-for-3 and a homerun.
The Cougars return home next weekend for the Cougar Classic Feb. 16-18.
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Izmena Cabrera’s lead-off homer to left field gave the Cougars their only hit of the game in the top of the first inning, before No. 2 Tennessee tallied six runs in the first on the final day of the Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The Lady Vols added six more runs in the second, before adding a final run in the third.
Tiffany Huff led Tennessee (4-0) at the plate on 2-for-4 hitting with three RBI and three runs.
Charleston (0-3) was led by Izmena Cabrera on 1-for-2 hitting for a home run and a RBI.
Megan Rhodes (2-0) got the win as she gave up one hit and one run, before striking out five in three innings of work.
Shannon Howard (0-2) gave up 11 hits on 10 runs and struck out one. Relief pitcher Katie Sansouci gave up three hits and a run and struck out three.
The Cougars play Gardner Webb today at 12:30 p.m. to wrap up their Carolina Classic schedule. College of Charleston will return home for the Cougar Classic Feb. 16-19 at Patriots Point.
Spartans fall to host Jacksonville on final day of JU Tournament
JACKSONVILLE, FL - UNC Greensboro suffered its fourth-straight loss Sunday, losing to host Jacksonville University, 3-0, in the final day of action at the Jacksonville University Tournament at the JU Softball Complex.
The Dolphins (1-4) struck first in the second inning getting a run from Ashley Mora, who scored when teammate Alexis Novak hit a single to center. UNCG escaped further damage when Renee LaCroix grounded out to third base to end the threat.
UNCG (1-4) tried to answer in the third inning and was able to load the bases. Freshman Kaitlin Merkt and senior Kara Clouser hit singles and Mary Greenway reached on a error by the Dolphins third baseman, but the Spartans couldn't muster a hit and left the three runners stranded.
The game remained 1-0 until the top of the seventh when Jacksonville was able to score two runs off of Vanessa Oakes. Mora started the inning with a leadoff double to left field. The Spartans were able to retire the next two batters, but LaCroix singled to drive in an insurance run and another run followed later on a bases loaded walk.
UNCG had a chance to get on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning. UNCG got a runner on when Brittany Ausley hit a double to center, but Heather Branche struck out and Adriane Audley grounded out to first base to end the game.
Freshman Amber Harrell (0-2), who started her second game in as many days, suffered the loss after allowing one run on three hits in four innings of work. Oakes finished for the Spartans and allowed two runs on two hits in three innings of relief.
Jacksonville's Ashley Iverson posted the complete game victory and allowed no runs on five hits in the win.
The Spartans return to the UNCG Softball Stadium Feb. 16-18 when they host the UNCG Spartan Classic. UNCG will take on Morehead State University at 2:30 pm in its first game of the tournament.