Georgia State Eliminates Furman At Buzz Classic, 3-2
Woodstock, Ga. ? Georgia State tallied two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and held off a seventh inning Furman rally to edge the Lady Paladins in the Bronze Bracket semifinals Sunday morning at the 15th annual Buzz Classic at Twin Creeks Softball Complex in Woodstock, Ga.
Trailing 3-1 entering the final frame, Megan Jaudon opened the inning with a double to deep centerfield. Brythe Blankenship followed with a single to center to drive in Jaudon and trim the margin to 3-2. Panther pitcher Madison Gore halted the rally by fanning Lana Mackey and Christina Campoli before getting Danielle Franklin to groundout to end the game.
Georgia State took an early 1-0 lead in the third when Rachel Cunningham scored a Nikki Bradford groundout. Furman drew even in the bottom of the fourth. Abby Robertson began the frame with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Jaudon plated Robertson with a sacrifice fly to right field.
The Panthers grabbed the lead for good in the sixth with a pair of runs.
Bradford began the frame with a single, but was erased on Jackie Jaegle’s fielder’s choice. After Ashley Griffin singled to move Jaegle to second, Jessica Gowin’s bouncer to short was misplayed allowing the Panthers to load the bases.
Allison Bradford reached on an infield single to score pinch runner Holly Willis and Mary Katharine Branan lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield to drive in Griffin.
Gore (7-2) surrendered just two runs on four hits while fanning five to earn the victory. Blake Murray (4-5) suffered the loss allowing two earned runs on four hits. The Snellville, Ga., native struck out six and walked one in six innings of work.
Robertson paced the Lady Paladins offensively going 2-for-3 with a double while Jaudon notched a double, RBI and a run. Blake Murray earned all-tournament honors after posting a 1.31 ERA for the weekend while striking out 19 batters in 16 innings.
Furman, 8-8-1 on the season, returns to action March 9-11, at the Winthrop Invitational in Rock Hill, S.C.
LADY MOCS FALL IN BOTH GAMES ON SUNDAY IN FROST CLASSIC
Chattanooga, Tenn. ? Freshman pitcher Brooke Loudermilk (Locust Grove, Ga.) recorded eight strikeouts in three innings pitched and 10 batters faced, allowing only one hit, as the Lady Mocs (10-11) fell to Oakland Sunday evening 5-0.
Loudermilk threw a total of 49 pitches, 37 of those pitches being strikes.
Sophomore third baseman Toni Hutchison (Madison, Tenn.) went two-for-three with singles in the fifth and seventh innings. And freshman shortstop Tia Blosser (Knoxville, Tenn.) tallied another hit to extend her hitting streak to seven games.
Sophomore first baseman Rachel Norris (Ringgold, Ga.) added a base hit for the Lady Mocs, her second on the season.
Four other Lady Mocs had one hit each, and freshman catcher Lynleigh Hurndon (McDonough, Ga.) recorded a team-high 11 putouts of the team’s 21.
The Golden Grizzlies scored five runs on five hits and two errors. Only one RBI was earned by Sarah Clark.
Chattanooga also fell to Illinois-Chicago 1-0 in the team’s first game of the day.
Blosser went three-for-three for the second game in a row with three singles against Illinois-Chicago.
The Flames scored the only run of the game in the top of the second on pitcher Sarah Clynes’ single, scoring Nikki Rogers, who reached on walk.
Senior left fielder Jeannie Cochran (Maryville, Tenn.), senior first baseman Alyssa Edwards (Geneva, N.Y.) and Hurndon all had hits. Loudermilk had two strikeouts in six batters faced. She entered the game in relief in the top of the sixth inning pitching a perfect two innings.
The Lady Mocs host non-conference opponent Jacksonville State on Tuesday in a doubleheader beginning at 4:00 p.m. before heading to Clearwater, Fla. to participate in the 2007 USF adidas tournament.
Mountaineers Defeat Rhode Island, 6-5
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian State University softball closed out the Tar Heel Invitational with a 6-5 victory over Rhode Island on Sunday. The Mountaineers belted out 10 hits in the victory with four players having multi-hit performances.
Appalachian (3-11) scored the eventual game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Diana Cook (Concord, N.C.) scored on Ashley Gaston’s (Roswell, Ga.) RBI single to center field.
Gaston went 2-for-3 with a run in the win. Cook, Lindsay Glover (Greensboro, N.C.) and Natalie Willis (Cherryville, N.C.) each went 2-for-3 from the plate as well.
Yancy Moose (Hamptonville, N.C.) picked up her first win of the season in four innings of work. Kayla Richardson (West Jefferson, N.C.) collected the save in two-thirds of a scoreless inning of work to preserve the win with the bases loaded.
URI (0-4) was led by Danielle Quimby’s two RBI on a single to left field that cut ASU’s lead to one in the sixth inning.
The Rams struck first, scoring two runs in the top of the second inning on a double and a squeeze bunt. ASU responded in the bottom half of the frame with two unearned runs on an error by the right fielder and a wild pitch. The Apps broke the stalemate with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Willis and Stephanie Long (Durham,
N.C.) crossed the plate first on Danielle Peters (Vass, N.C.) double to left field. Peters then scored on Glover’s infield single.
ASU added the game-winning run in the next inning before two runs from Rhode Island trimmed ASU’s lead to one run.
In the top of the seventh inning, a single, double and a walk loaded the bases for the Rams with two outs. However, Richardson caught the final batter looking for her first save of the season.
The Mountaineers will return to action on March 6 when they travel to Knoxville to face Tennessee in a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
Catamount Softball Splits Opening Day at 2007 Rebel Spring Games in Orlando
Orlando, Fla. ? The Western Carolina Catamount softball team split two games on Sunday to open play in the 2007 Rebel Spring Games. WCU failed to hold onto two separate leads in game one, falling to the Penn Quakers, 7-6, in the morning. On Sunday afternoon, sophomore Stephanie Beatty delivered a walk-off home run to cap a rally as the Catamounts downed the Maine Black Bears, 3-2.
Western (3-9) fell behind early as Maine plated a pair of runs in the top half of the third inning to grab a 2-0 lead. The Catamounts responded, though, in the bottom of the frame with a run to slice the deficit in half. Freshman Danielle Reese struck out swinging, but advanced to first when the catcher dropped the third strike. After being moved into scoring position, her classmate Serena Smith drove her home to make the game 2-1.
An inning later, back-to-back singles by sophomores Beth Hauser and Lauren Ross put two on for the Cats. Hauser moved to third on a wild pitch before tagging and scoring on a sacrifice fly to right field by freshman Tatum Hargett.
Tied 2-2 entering the final frame, Beatty blasted a two-out homer down the left field line to give the Catamounts the win.
Ross picked up her second collegiate win, working 7.0 innings with five strikeouts and a pair of walks. Beatty was 1-for-2 with the homer and a pair of walks, with Smith tallying two stolen bases.
In the first game, Western opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the second inning as Reese doubled home teammates Hauser and junior Jamie Swank, who had singled and walked, respectively. Reese touched the plate on an RBI single from Mendy McKenzie to give WCU a short-lived 3-0 lead.
Penn rallied in the bottom of the frame, answering with three runs on two hits and one Catamount error which allowed two runs to scamper home. An inning later, the Quakers used a pair of singles and a passed ball to push a run across the plate for its first lead, 4-3.
In the fourth, WCU reclaimed the lead, rallying with two out. Sophomore Sam Stepp reached on an error and was moved to second on a single by Smith. The next batter, Beatty, singled to plate both Stepp and Smith for a 5-4 Catamount advantage.
However, Penn used three runs between the bottom of the fourth and fifth to take the lead for good, holding off Western’s rally attempt in the sixth. McKenzie led off with a walk and was followed by a single by Smith. A Quaker throwing error allowed McKenzie to come home, but Smith was gunned down on the base paths for the first out. Beatty drew a one-out walk and moved around to third base on a groundout and wild pitch put the tying run 60-feet away. However, Quaker pitching forced a pop-up to short to end the threat and the game.
Each team recorded 11 hits in the game, but Western was unable to capitalize on six Penn errors in the game, stranding 10 base runners. Reese finished 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored. Smith and junior Savannah Filley also went 2-for-4 with Beatty finishing 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and two RBI.
McKenzie suffered her fifth defeat of the season, tossing six innings while allowing seven runs, five of which were earned, with three walks and a pair of strikeouts.
Western Carolina continues play in the 2007 Rebel Spring Games on Tuesday (March 6) when it faces La Salle and Lehigh in back-to-back games starting at 9:00 am.
Spartans Gain Sunday Split on Sunday at Elon Tournament
ELON, NC ? UNC Greensboro settled for a split in two games at the Elon Softball Invitational on Sunday with a 8-0 win over Norfolk State and a 6-5 loss to tournament host Elon.
The 8-0 win over Norfolk State was UNCG’s third shutout in two days after defeating St. Francis (PA). 2-0 and Bucknell, 5-0 on Saturday. Brittany Ausley had three hits in the two games on Sunday with two runs scored, while Mary Greenway had two hits and four runs scored.
Vanessa Oakes picked up the win in the shutout over Norfolk State, striking out 10 and limiting the opposition just three hits. Oakes did not walk a batter and improved her record to 3-1 on the season. Jennifer Bonilla helped Oaks’ cause, driving in four runs.
Leading 1-0 in the fifth, the Spartans struck for four runs in the inning. Ausley led off when she reached on an error, but was forced at second on Greenway’s grounder. Greenway stole second and then scored on Adriane Audley’s double to right center. After Leslie Furness singled to put two runners on, Bonilla ripped a two-run double to center to make it 4-0. Bonilla came around to score one batter later when Lyndsey Mouse tripled into the left field corner.
The Spartans ended the game with three runs in the eight, two of them coming on Bonilla’s two-run single.
In the nightcap, UNCG lost to Elon when the Phoenix pushed across an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh. Losing pitcher Amber Harrell opened the hitting by hitting a batter. The next batter hit a grounder to third that was misplayed to put runners at first and second. Melanie Helterbran followed with a single to right to load the bases. Harrell then struck out Brandi Jones for the first out of the inning. But Jamie Rao lined a single through the right side of the infield to plate the game-winner.
After Elon struck first in the bottom of the first, UNCG scored three times in the third. Two of those came in the form of a Lyndsey Wilson two-run single to center. The lead was extended to 4-1 in the fourth when Ausley doubled to left and came around one batter later when a sacrifice bunt was misplayed.
Elon scored four times in the fifth to regain the lead before UNCG tied it in the top of the sixth. Again, it was an Ausley double that set the table. This time she moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Audley.
Harrell, who came into the game in relief of Angel in the fifth and pitched out of further damage, retired the Phoenix in order in the sixth. But the two Spartan miscues to open the seventh proved to be costly.
UNCG (12-9), which went 3-1 in the tournament and has now won seven of its last nine, returns to action on Tuesday when it hits the road to face Longwood in a doubleheader that is slated for 2 pm.
Elon Downs Bucknell, UNCG at Phoenix Classic
BURLINGTON, N.C.- Elon earned two victories in the second day of the Phoenix Classic on Sunday afternoon at Springwood Park. Elon downed Bucknell 5-1 before taking a 6-5 come-from-behind win over UNC Greensboro.
In the second game of the day, Elon and UNC Greensboro entered the bottom of the seventh inning with a 5-5 tie. Debbie Zeigler was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Laurin Smith put down a sacrifice bunt to move Zeigler, but an attempt to get Zeigler out at second sailed over the second baseman's head, putting Zeigler on second and Smith on first. Melanie Helterbran then singled to right field to load the bases. Jaimie Rao singled through the right side to plate Zeigler and give Elon a 6-5 victory.
Elon (9-8) started the scoring early in the game. In the bottom of the first inning, with runners on first and second, Helterbran singled through the right side to score Zeigler from third and give Elon a 1-0 lead.
But UNC Greensboro posted three runs in the top of the third to take a 3-1 lead. With a runner on second base, Adriane Audley doubled to right centerfield to score Mary Greenway and knot the game, 1-1. Then, with the bases loaded, Lyndsey Wilson singled to centerfield to send Leslie Furness and Jennifer Bonilla home to go ahead 3-1.
The Spartans added another run in the top of the fourth frame. Brittany Ausley doubled to get on base before Greenway put down a bunt to move Ausley over. But the throw to get Greenway out at first went over the first baseman's head and put Ausley at home to give UNCG a 4-1 lead.
Elon rallied with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. With runners on the corners, Tracey Dahlen stole second and the throw to get her out rolled into the outfield, allowing Jaymie Shanahan to score from third and cut the UNCG lead to two at 4-2. With runners on first and second, Zeigler doubled to right field to score Dahlen. Smith followed with a single through the right side to send Patti Weber home and even the score at 4-4. After a pitching change, Helterbran singled into right field to score Zeigler and give the Phoenix a 5-4 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Ausley doubled to get on base and moved to third on a sac-bunt by Greenway before a sacrifice fly from Audley sent her home to tie the game, 5-5.
Carol Lilley (2-3) earned the win for the Phoenix after throwing 3.2 innings in relief and giving up one run on two hits while striking out five. Starter Samantha Schroeder tossed 3.1 innings and gave up four runs (no earned runs) on six hits.
Amber Harrell suffered the loss for the Spartans after tossing 2.1 innings in relief and giving up one run on three hits while striking out three. Hannah Angel hurled 4.0 innings and gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits while retiring eight batters.
Helterbran led Elon from the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Zeigler was 2-for-3 with one RBI and three runs scored. Dahlen, Smith and Rao each added one hit.
In the first game of the day, Bucknell put the first run of the game on the board in the top of the first inning. With the bases loaded, Kristin Frick knocked an infield fly that allowed Erin Curatola to score from third to give the Bison a 1-0 lead.
Elon responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Paige Goss led off with a single down the left field line before stealing second. Dahlen grounded out to the third baseman, allowing Goss to move to third. Zeigler then earned a walk and stole second before Smith doubled to right centerfield to score Goss and Zeigler and put Elon ahead 2-1.
Elon added another run in the bottom of the second frame when Goss knocked an RBI single to score Weber from third base.
The Phoenix put two more runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning. With runners on first and second, Weber doubled down the left field line to score Jaimie Rao from second base and put Elon up 4-1. Goss then knocked a sacrifice fly to left field to send Shanahan home and give Elon the 5-1 lead.
Helterbran (6-2) picked up the win for Elon after hurling 5.2 innings in relief and giving up no runs on two hits while striking out seven. Meredith Gay tossed 1.1 innings and gave up one run on three hits.
Christie Wiest suffered the loss for Bucknell after towwing 2.0 innings and giving up three unrs on four hits while retiring one batter.
Goss led Elon from the plate, going 3-for-3 with one run and two RBI. Dahlen, Smith, Rao and Weber each posted a hit for the Phoenix while Smith tallied two RBI.
Elon returns to action on Friday, March 9 in a noon game with Albany at the Winthrop Tournament.