Georgia Southern 9, Alabama State 3
Radford 4, Georgia Southern 3
STATESBORO, Ga. ? Georgia Southern split two games Saturday at the GSU Softball Invitational, defeating Alabama State 9-3 and losing 4-3 to Radford.
The Eagles move to 4-6 on the season.
Game 1: Georgia Southern 9, Alabama State 3
Brianna Streetmon threw a complete game en route to a 9-3 Georgia Southern win over Alabama State in game one.
The Eagles opened the game scoring one in the top of the first. Nina Iduate singled to shortstop and scored on a single by Sam Russo.
Alabama State evened the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the second. Ja’Vonna Grimsley scored off a throwing error.
The Eagles took the lead, 2-1, in the top of the third. Russo led off with a single and advanced on a base hit by Amanda Hall. Russo later scored on an error.
Four singles and a double in the top of the fifth propelled Georgia Southern to a 5-1 lead. Megen Smith and Aubrey Thweatt each contributed run-scoring hits and an error brought home two more runs.
The Hornets added two in the sixth on a passed ball and double to center by Grimsley.
Georgia Southern took advantage of three Alabama State errors in the seventh, plating four runs on just three hits.
Russo paced the offense with a 4-for-5 performance and two RBI. Thweatt (three), Iduate (three), Lindsey Hopkins (two) and Hall (two) all had multiple hits.
Streetmon (2-0) went the distance for GSU, allowing two earned runs and seven hits.
Game 2: Radford 4, Georgia Southern 3
Errors plagued the Georgia Southern softball team in game two of the day as they fell 5-4 to Radford. The Eagles fall to 4-6, while the Highlanders improve to 2-2.
After three scoreless innings, Radford (2-2) took the lead 1-0 on a Kristen Shifflett single to center field.
The Eagles answered the Highlanders run in the bottom of the fourth. Robyne Siliga walked and was driven in off a double by Hall.
Helped by two throwing errors, the Highlanders took a 3-1 lead in the fifth. Hope Creasy led off the inning with a single to shortstop. She scored on an error by second baseman, Aubrey Thweatt. Shannon Keefe reached on an error and scored on an error to push Radford’s lead to 3-1.
Again the Eagles responded in their half of the inning and knotted the score at 3-3. Consecutive singles by Hopkins and Iduate put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Siliga singled up the middle, driving in Hopkins and Iduate.
Radford loaded the bases in the sixth off two singles and a hit by pitch. Keefe singled to right field, driving in Sarah Himan and Shifflett.
The Eagles rallied in the bottom of the seventh. Michelle Beasley led off with a single down the left field line and later scored on a single by Siliga. But with runners on first and third, Ashley Taylor struck out the final batter to end the game, 5-4.
Georgia Southern will face Drexel at 11 a.m. Sunday and Georgetown at 1 p.m.
Maryland 5, Elon 4 (8 inn.)
Elon 5, Coastal Carolina 2
CONWAY, S.C.- The Elon softball team went 1-1 against Maryland and Coastal Carolina in a three-way double-header in Conway, S.C. The Phoenix dropped a 5-4 decision to Maryland in eight innings before defeating Coastal Carolina 5-2.
Elon is now 4-1 on the season. Coastal Carolina drops to 2-6 after falling to the Phoenix and Maryland. Maryland improves to 5-1.
Game one saw Maryland take an early 1-0 lead off a Phoenix error. In the bottom of the inning, Elon loaded the bases against starting pitcher Sarah Dooley, forcing Maryland to go to its bullpen. Meredith Nelles relieved Dooley and forced back-to-back popups to end the Phoenix threat.
The Terps took a 3-0 lead in the second, taking advantage of an error by Debbie Ziegler and a wild pitch from Pam DelPizzo.
Elon battled back in the fifth to tie the game at three. Rebecca Rijavec scored on a sacrifice fly by Allison Hartman. DelPizzo singled to left, allowing Patti Weber and Caitlin McGowen to score the tying runs.
Maryland’s Breanna Shaw reached second after a single by Sarah Hickey. Brittany Beesho doubled to left center to advance Hickey to third. Hickey scored on a passed ball for the winning run.
The Phoenix continued to battle in the bottom of the eighth, with Rijavec singling home Brandi Jones. Dooley, who came back to the circle to pitch for Maryland, ended the game by getting McGowen to fly out.
DelPizzo took the loss for the Phoenix, while Dooley earned the win for Maryland.
In the second game of the afternoon, Elon defeated Coastal Carolina 5-2. The first runs of the game came in the third inning when Coastal’s Allison Cantrell hit a two-run. Elon answered with a two-run shot of its own from Jaimie Rao in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at two.
The scored remained knotted until the seventh inning when Weber doubled to center. Rao was intentionally walked, causing the Chanticleer’s to pitch to Zeigler. Zeigler bunted and reached on a fielder’s choice, advancing Rao to third. Rao scored on a passed ball. Dahlen singled, scoring Rijavec and Zeigler for the final runs of the game.
Melanie Helterbran pitched a complete game to get the win for the Phoenix. CCU’s Ashley Frederick picked up the loss.
Elon returns to the field tomorrow for the second day of the three-way double-header. Elon faces Maryland at 11 a.m. and Coastal Carolina at 4 p.m.
Eastern Kentucky 17, Appalachian State 9
Eastern Kentucky 11, Appalachian State 10
KENNESAW, Ga. ? The Mountaineers scored runs-a-plenty on Saturday at the K-Club Classic, but couldn’t hold their leads as Appalachian State fell twice to Eastern Kentucky, 17-9 and 11-10. The Mountaineers were bolstered by timely hitting from freshmen and veterans alike. With 19 runs on the day, it marks ASU’s highest scores in back-to-back games in school history.
“We’re definitely above and beyond where we have ever started a season at before,” said head coach Amy Herrington. “Our attitude and maturity is outstanding. Regardless of the wins and losses, this is the best opening weekend we’ve had here at Appalachian.”
Freshman Katie Boyd earned Tournament MVP honors and All-Tournament honors thanks to a .769 average and 4 homeruns in four games. She also stole two bases and scored seven runs while batting in seven more runs.
-- GAME 1 ? ASU 9, EKU 17 ?-
The Mountaineer softball team continued their appearance at the K-Club Classic on Saturday morning, dropping a 17-9 decision to Eastern Kentucky in six innings. The Colonels improved to 1-2 this season while Appalachian fell to 0-3 on the season with another game to be played later in the day.
After the Mountaineers were held scoreless in the first, the Colonels scored four runs off ASU starter Teri Fister. EKU took advantage of three hits, all singles, and one ASU error to take the early lead.
Not to be outdone, the Apps responded in the top of the second to take the lead. With one out already, junior Andrea McIntyre legged out an infield single to shortstop to be followed by junior Stephanie Long, who walked. The Mountaineers got on the scoreboard a batter later when freshman Tijana Stevens singled on a bunt. An error by the first baseman moved everyone up a base, pushing McIntyre across the plate. Next up, Tiffany Hensley, walked to load the bases for junior Brittany Gaston. Gaston delivered a clutch single up the middle, plating Long and Stevens and tying the score at 3-3. Freshman Katie Boyd continued her hot start by taking the first pitch over the leftfield fence. Her second home run of the season scored three runs, putting ASU up 6-3.
In the bottom of the second, Eastern Kentucky answered back with two runs on three hits and one Mountaineer error. An inning later, EKU scored four more runs on four hits. With one out in the inning, junior Yancy Moose replaced starting pitcher Fister who exited the game allowing nine runs, seven earned, on eight hits in two and a third innings pitched. ASU’s starter struck out two and walked two in the loss, her first of the season.
In the top of the fourth, trailing 10-6 with one out, Boyd slugged her second home run of the game over the left field wall. The freshman designated player led the Mountaineers batting 3-for-3 with three runs and four RBI’s and an intentional walk.
In the bottom of the fourth, EKU scored four more runs to take a 14-7 lead. The runs came off three hits and an error.
After going quietly in the top of the fifth, Moose walked two in the bottom of the fifth, but rallied to strike out the next two batters, keeping the Colonels off the scoreboard for the first time all game.
Freshman Sarah Rappe notched her first career double down the right field line, immediately followed by an intentional walk to Boyd. Next up, freshman Morgan Price struck out, with both Boyd and Rappe stealing second and third respectively. Junior Ashley Gaston then delivered a clutch, two out single up the middle to plate both Rappe and Boyd to cut the EKU margin to 14-9.
Eastern Kentucky responded in the last of the sixth inning, scoring three runs on three hits, putting the Colonels up 17-9, ending the game due to the eight-run rule.
Moose pitched the final three innings of the game allowing eight runs, six earned on eight hits. The Mountaineer southpaw recorded four strikeouts while walking five.
-- Game 2 ? ASU 10, EKU 11 ?-
A big second inning was not enough to help the Appalachian State softball team record their first win on Saturday afternoon against familiar foe Eastern Kentucky. The Mountaineers took the lead twice in the game but could not hold the leads, falling in heartbreaking fashion 11-10.
After a scoreless first inning, the Mountaineers unloaded for six runs. With one out in the top of the second, junior Andrea McIntyre singled to left, immediately followed by freshman Kristen Fister who singled to right. With runners on first and second, freshman Tijana Stevens loaded the bases with a single to left. With the bases juiced, junior Brittany Gaston rifled a double to left center, plating McIntyre and Fister. Freshman Sarah Rappe stepped in next, with runners on second and third. The left-handed freshman singled to right, clearing the bases and giving ASU the 4-0 lead with freshman sensation Katie Boyd stepping in. Boyd hammered the 2-1 pitch over the left field wall for her fourth home run in as many games. The two-run shot gave ASU a 6-0 lead. The Mountaineers would load the bases again, but stranded three runners. ASU sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning, recording seven hits and scoring six.
Eastern answered in the bottom half of the inning with four runs of their own. The Colonels touched up ASU starter Kayla Richardson up for four runs on three hits and one error.
In the top of the third, Rappe beat out a two-out infield single, but was caught stealing as the Mountaineers were retired in order.
In the bottom half of the inning, EKU posted a pair of singles and took advantage of an inopportune Mountaineer error to cut the lead to 6-5.
After ASU went quietly in the fourth, Eastern Kentucky hit a double down the left field line with one out to end Richardson’s day. The ASU starter pitched three and a third inning, allowing six runs on six hits, striking out one and walking one in the no-decision. Richardson was replaced by junior Yancy Moose who inherited a runner who would score on the next at bat. The Colonels would work the bases loaded before a foul out to first base would end the EKU threat in the fourth.
The next opportunity for the Apps came in the top of the fifth as the Mountaineers loaded the bases with one out and Brittany Gaston at the plate. The ASU second baseman grounded to short, but the Colonels kept Long from scoring with a force out at home for the second out. Rappe then grounded out to end the inning for ASU with the score still tied 6-6.
In the last of the fifth, EKU utilized a hit, sacrifice bunt and a single up the middle to plate the go-ahead run, but failed to score again after putting runners at first and second.
Now trailing by a run, Boyd opened the inning with a single through the left side followed by a single down the right field line by junior Ashley Gaston, who reached second as the throw attempted to cut Boyd down at third. Sophomore Meagan Squartino stepped up, lacing a single to left, scoring Boyd and leaving runners on the corners for junior Stephanie Long. The Mountaineer first baseman singled to center, scoring Gaston to give ASU the 8-7 lead and moving pinch runner Natalie Willis up to second base. A double steal put runners at second and third with no outs but three consecutive outs would strand the runners in scoring position.
A pitching change to start the bottom of the sixth put an end to Moose’s part in the game. The ASU lefty pitched one and two-thirds of an inning in relief, allowing one run to score on two hits. She struck out two and hit three as the pitcher of record at that point. However, she would not keep the designation for long as EKU re-took the lead with three runs on three hits.
The Mountaineers stepped to the plate in the top of the seventh needing two runs to keep the game going. Brittany Gaston led off with a single down the right field line. Next up, Rappe grounded into a possible double play, but an error on the third-baseman gave ASU with runners on first and second and no outs. Up stepped Boyd, 2-for-3 with 2 RBI already in the game. The Mountaineer catcher was given a free pass on four pitches to load the bases. Cleanup hitter Ashley Gaston then singled to left, scoring Rappe and sister Brittany to tie the game. With runners on the corners, Squartino struck out before Long was walked to load the bases for McIntyre. With a one-two count, Ashley Gaston was called for leaving second base early, recording the second out against ASU. McIntyre ended the inning for ASU with a groundout to first base, stranding two with the score tied at 10.
In the bottom of the inning, EKU used a walk and a pair of singles to force reliever Teri Fister out of the game. The Mountaineer hurler left after 1+ innings pitched and four runs, all earned on five hits with one walk. Fister was replaced by Richardson who gave up a single up the middle, scoring the winning run for Eastern Kentucky.
The winning run was charged to Fister, her fifth. Fister was also credited with the loss, her second of the season.
The Mountaineers fall to 0-4 with the loss while EKU improves to 2-2 taking third place at the K-Club Classic.
Centerfielder Ashley Gaston was the leading hitter for Appalachian, batting 3-for-5 in the game, scoring a run and driving two in. Boyd’s home run was her fourth of the season which puts her into a tie for eighth place on the single season and career home run charts.
The Mountaineers will face Charlotte on the road this Wednesday for a re-scheduled doubleheader that will start at 2:30 p.m.
Marshall 11, Furman 3
McNeese State 2, Furman 1
Auburn, Ala. -- The Furman softball team dropped an 11-3 decision to Marshall and was edged 2-1 by McNeese State in the nightcap Saturday at the Auburn Tiger Invitational at Jane B. Moore Field.
Furman jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead against Marshall in the Lady Paladins’ opening game of the day as sophomore Brythe Blankenship hammered a three-run homer to left field in the first inning. The Thundering Herd scored single runs in the second and third innings to pull within a run before exploding for an eight-spot in the fourth inning.
The Herd tallied seven hits in the frame, highlighted by a two-run double by Caitlyn Jackson and a three-run double by Kelly Nielson. Marshall pushed across a single run in the fifth to force the eight-run mercy rule.
Autumn Mitchell allowed three earned runs in four innings to take the victory for Marshall. Sophomore Lana Mackey was tagged for seven runs in just two-thirds innings of work to take the loss.
Five Marshall batters collected a pair of hits while Nielson drove in four runs. Blankenship’s three RBI led Furman’s offense.
In the second game of the day, Michelle LaVoie held Furman to one run on six hits in seven innings to pick up the first victory of the year for the Cowgirls.
Molly Guidry put McNeese in front with an RBI groundout in the first and Liz Morvant doubled the lead with a two-out RBI single in the fifth inning.
Furman answered with a run in the sixth inning to cut the lead to 2-1.
Freshman Katie Michaels led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Abby Robertson delivered a two-out single to center to plate Michaels for Furman’s lone run.
Kate Termini, representing the potential tying run, reached second base with two out in the seventh, but Lavoie induced a groundout to secure the victory.
Bethany Ullrich (0-3) suffered the loss for the Paladins allowing one run in two innings of work. Morvant and LaVoie each tallied two hits for the Cowgirls while Mackey notched two hits for Furman.
Furman (1-5) concludes tournament play Sunday when it faces the host Auburn Tigers in a 4 p.m. ET contest.
No. 7 LSU 9, Chattanooga 1
Baton Rouge, La. - Senior outfielder Quinlan Duhon went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI as LSU (4-0) handed Chattanooga (5-3) a 9-1 loss Saturday afternoon at LSU Tiger Park.
LSU got on the board early, scoring two runs on a double by Duhon before freshman catcher Katie Blevins (Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.) drilled a deep shot over the left-centerfield fence in the top of the second for her first career homerun to make it 2-1.
That would be the lone highlight for the Lady Mocs as the Tigers added a run on a double by sophomore outfielder Jazz Jackson in the bottom of the inning and tacked on another in the third inning to make it 4-1. Two singles by LSU in the fourth quickly set the stage for a three-run blast by senior third baseman Tayl'r Hollis that put the game well out of reach at 7-1.
The Tigers would cap off their fourth straight victory to start the season in the fifth inning when senior catcher Killian Roessner lined a single through the right side with runners on second and third to reach the final margin of 9-1.
Junior pitcher Dani Hofer (2-0) picked up the win for LSU, going five innings and striking out 11 while freshman pitcher Kandice Irwin (Knoxville, Tenn.) dropped to 2-1 for the Lady Mocs. Blevins collected UTC's lone hit as she went 1-for-2 with a run scored and two RBIs on her first career homerun.
Chattanooga will resume play tomorrow 9:30 a.m. as the #2 seed when they face #3 seed Nicholls State for the right to play in the Championship game of the LSU Easton Tiger Classic. The Lady Mocs defeated the Colonels 15-6 yesterday in the first ever meeting between the teams.
Central Michigan 3, UNC Greensboro 1
GREENSBORO, N.C. ? The UNC Greensboro softball team dropped a 3-1 contest to Central Michigan in second day action at the UNCG Softball Classic.
The Spartans were led by senior Mary Greenway was as 2-for-3 at the plate and had two stolen bases. First baseman Mary Catherine Vercoe tallied her first home run of the season and was 1-for-3 on the day.
Central Michigan got on the board first with a run in the top of the second inning Christina Novak hit a single through the right side and teammate Brittani Merchant singled and advanced in the next at bat to put Novak on third base and she was plated with single from Jill Schulz to give the Chippewas the early lead.
The Chippewas took a 2-0 lead with a score in the top of the sixth inning.
Amy Hudson was hit by a pitch and Amber Olejniczak, who was pinch running, stole second base on the next play. Olejniczak was plated when the runners advanced on a UNCG error.
UNCG was able to get one run on the board with a home run from Vercoe and almost added another run in the seventh inning. Greenway hit a single to left field and then stole second base but a line out and strikeout ended the game.
Amber Harrell took the loss for UNCG. The McDonough, GA native went the distance and allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out seven.
Kari Seddon picked up the win for Central Michigan, who moves to 2-0 on the season. She allowed one run on three hits while walking six.
Tournament play will move up on hour tomorrow due to the threat of inclement weather. Play will begin at 9 am with games following at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
Chattanooga 9, Ball State 0
Baton Rouge, La. ? Sophomore pitcher Brooke Loudermilk (Locust Grove, Ga.) pitched a three-hit shutout and Chattanooga connected for three homeruns as the Lady Mocs (5-2) defeated Ball State 9-0 in five innings at LSU Tiger Park. The victory is the fourth straight for UTC and third in the tournament.
The Lady Mocs struck quickly, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a double by junior infielder Toni Hutchison (Madison, Tenn.) before Loudermilk settled in and retired the next six Cardinal batters and squelched a Ball State rally in the top of the fourth inning.
After two quick outs in the bottom half of the inning, Chattanooga added to its lead with an RBI double from senior outfielder Ashlan Clarkson (Chickamauga, Ga.) and a two-run homerun by senior outfielder Tara Tembey (Folsom, Calif.) to push the lead to 4-0. An error to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning set the stage for a long two-run homerun over centerfield by junior third baseman Toni Hutchison (Madison, Tenn.) to make it 6-0 before two walks put runners on first and second.
At that point, a towering three-run shot down the left field line by junior outfielder Laci Upchurch (Madison, Tenn.) ended it as she connected for her first homerun of 2008 to give the Lady Mocs a 9-0 victory.
Loudermilk (1-1) collected her first victory of the season and her ninth career shutout while sophomore pitcher Elizabeth Milian (0-2) took the loss for the Cardinals.
Hutchison went 2-for-3 with a homerun, run scored and three RBIs while Tembey went 1-for-2 with a homerun, two runs scored and two RBI. Upchurch finished the day 1-for-3 with a run scored and her three-run walk-off blast. Freshman first baseman Michelle Fuzzard (Huntington Beach, Calif.) added a 2-for-3 performance to raise her team-leading batting average to .500 (9-of-18) and slugging percentage to .778.
Tembey is now batting .478 (11-of-23) and is tied for second on the team at nine RBIs behind Fuzzard's ten and is second with eight runs scored. Upchurch also has nine RBIs while Hutchison has scored a team-high nine runs.
It is the fifth time in seven games this season that Chattanooga has scored at least nine runs and the fourth straight game reaching that mark. During that stretch of four games, the Lady Mocs are averaging 11 runs per game.
The Lady Mocs return to action this afternoon when they face No. 7 LSU in a 3:45 p.m. contest. Chattanooga has never faced the Tigers.
NOTES
Chattanooga last faced a ranked opponent on April 11, 2007 when they fell to No. 2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, 8-6 and 8-1 ... UTC's last victory over a ranked opponent came on March 24 when they defeated N.C. State 1-0 in eight innings for head coach Frank Reed's 700th career victory.
North Carolina 16, College of Charleston 0
Gainesville, Fla. -- North Carolina turned in 12 hits and went on to defeat the College of Charleston 16-0 in five innings of Division I softball action on day two at the Cox Communications Classic Saturday morning.
The Cougars (1-10) face Stetson for the second time this weekend at 11:15 this morning. UNC (8-0) will face no.10 Florida later this afternoon.
Kristi Woodall and Brittany Small had the Cougars two hits on the morning. Pitchers Shannon Howard and Alexa Datka had a combine eight earned runs through 26 Tar Heel batters.
Chattanooga 11, St. John’s 5
Chattanooga 15, Nicholls State 6
Baton Rouge, La. - Senior Tara Tembey (Folsom, Calif.) combined to go 2-for-5 with four runs and five RBIs as Chattanooga (4-2) dealt St. Johns (0-1) a season opening 11-5 loss and kept Nicholls State (0-4) winless with a 15-6 victory Friday afternoon at LSU Tiger Park.
Chattanooga got on the board quickly against St. Johns, capitalizing on three bases loaded walks and a hit batsmen to take a 4-0 lead with no one out in the first inning. A bases loaded triple by Tembey pushed the lead to 7-0 before she came around to score on a wild pitch to make it 8-0 after one inning.
After a pair of lengthy rain delays, the Red Storm got on the board in the third inning when sophomore catcher Brandy Reyes hit a fly ball to drive in junior outfielder Melissa Pilley and make the score 8-1. The St. Johns resurgence continued in the top of the fourth inning with a two-run home run by senior designated hitter Lisa Geer, an RBI double by senior short stop Danielle Estrada and a run scoring error put the score at 8-5,
The Lady Mocs responded quickly in their half of the inning as they loaded the bases with two outs. Junior outfielder Laci Upchurch (Madison, Tenn.) then laced a bases-clearing double to drive in three runs and make it 11-5. From there, freshman pitcher Kandice Irwin (Knoxville, Tenn.) threw 3.1 scoreless innings and allowed only two hits to move to 2-0 on the season.
Freshman pitcher Kat Lawerence took the loss for St. Johns, dropping to 0-1, while Geer finished at 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs. For Chattanooga, Tembey went 1-for-3 with two runs and three RBI while Upchurch drove in three runs on her lone double. Freshman catcher Katie Blevins (Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.) collected her first collegiate hit as she went 1-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI.
In the day's second game against Nicholls State, Chattanooga got off to a slow start, falling behind 2-0 in the bottom of the first on a single by senior outfielder Rachel Pugh. UTC then woke up offensively in top of the second inning as they pushed across five runs on two bases loaded walks and got three runs off a bases loaded double by freshman pitcher Michelle Fuzzard (Huntington Beach, Calif.) to make it 5-2.
The Colonels came right back in the bottom of the second inning, connecting for four runs on four hits to retake the lead, 6-5. Senior first baseman Amy Thibodeaux had the key hit with a two-run double while Pugh added another RBI single.
The back-and-forth affair continued in the third inning as the Lady Mocs drove in four runs with the benefit of only two hits to take the lead for good at 9-6. After a scoreless fourth, Chattanooga exploded in the fifth with six runs on five hits, including a two-RBI double from Blevins, to reach the final margin of 15-6.
Freshman pitcher Kaitlin Holloway (Chickamauga, Ga.) pitched 3.1 scoreless innings to improve to 2-0 on the season while senior pitcher Krystalin Ensminger took the loss for the Colonels.
Fuzzard added to her already impressive offensive numbers as she went 3-for-4 with a run scored and four RBIs while junior third baseman Toni Hutchison (Madison, Tenn.) finished with a 2-for-4 night with three runs and two RBIs. Freshman infielder Kristin Holloway (Chickamauga, Ga.) finished at 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs.
Fuzzard is now batting .467 with a team-high 10 RBI over her first six career games while Tembey is hitting .476 (10-of-21) with seven RBIs and is 2-for-2 in stolen bases.
The Lady Mocs return to action tomorrow with a 9:00 a.m. contest against Ball State and a 3:45 p.m. game with 2007 Southeastern Conference West Division Champion LSU.
NOTES
The victories over St. Johns and Nicholls State are the first in the program's 15-year history ... prior to today, the teams had never met ... Chattanooga will face first-time opponent LSU tomorrow afternoon.
No. 10 Florida 10, College of Charleston 0
Gainesville, Fla. -- Number 10 Florida blanked the College of Charleston softball team 10-0 in the day one night cap of the Cox Communication Classic Friday evening at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
The Cougars (1-9) will continue action Saturday, Feb. 16, when they face North Carolina (7-0) at 9 a.m. The Gators improve their record to 9-0 on the season.
The Gators started the game off with four runs in the top of the first inning and added six more through the course of seven innings.
Centerfielder Kristi Woodall went 2-for-4 from the plate, while Kristie Shifflett and Katie Nutaitis both went 1-for-3. Sophomore Terri Mesko (0-6) pitched through six innings and 30 batters striking out two Gators before Alexa Datko finished out the game.
Stacey Nelson got the win striking out six Cougars through 12 at-bats to move her record to 5-0.
James Madison 3, UNC Greensboro 1
UNC Greensboro 3, Niagara 2
GREENSBORO, N.C. ? Mary Greenway’s slap single up the middle scored the eventual game-winner in the bottom of the sixth inning as UNC Greensboro gained a split on the first day of the Spartan Classic with a 3-2 win over Niagara.
The Spartans, who dropped their opening game of the day to James Madison, 3-1, are now 3-4 on the season.
Greenway’s slap hit up the middle was just out of the reach of Niagara’s Tory Healey to plate pinch-runner Kristen Vercoe. That made a winner out of Hannah Angel, who raised her record to 2-1 on the year by allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out seven over a seven-inning complete game effort.
The Spartans got on the board in the first with a pair of runs. Whitney Sirois smacked an RBI single, followed by a sacrifice fly by Leslie Furness.
Niagara (0-2) countered quickly with two in the top of the second. Heidi Conlon’s single up the middle with two outs scored Teresa Healy and Tory Healy. But with Conlon on second, Angel struck out Kristin Sito to end the threat and keep it a tie game.
In the opener, the Spartans stranded 10 runners as they had James Madison pitcher Jenny Clohan on the ropes several times. However, the Dukes (1-0) scored twice in the third and once in the fourth with the benefit of just three hits.
In the third, Julia Dominguez’s single to left scored Brittney Dyson and Katie Cochran. However, Cochran scored when the throw from left field sailed high and wide of the plate and through to the backstop.
The Spartans got on the board in the sixth on an RBI double by Gabel, which plated Whitney Sirois. But Gabel was thrown out trying to get to third on the play.
Greenway finished the day with three hits, while Sirois was a perfect 4-for-4 for the twinbill.
Jacksonville State 9, Georgia Southern 8
Campbell 4, Georgia Southern 1
STATESBORO, Ga. ? A two-out four-run rally in the top of the seventh was not enough for the Eagles to overcome a five-run deficit to the Gamecocks in game one of the Georgia Southern Invitational Friday morning. Georgia Southern falls to 3-4 on the season, while Jacksonville State improves to 3-2 with the win.
Game 1: Jacksonville State 9, Georgia Southern 8
Georgia Southern jumped out to a four-run lead through two innings. Lindsey Hopkins led off the game in the first with a double to left field and scored on a single to center by Nina Iduate. Single RBI from Hopkins and Iduate pushed the lead to a 3-0, and the fourth score came via error.
The Gamecocks answered the Eagles’ three-run second with two runs coming from a fielder’s choice RBI from Mary Beth Ledbetter and a sacrifice fly from Rachel Fleming. JSU tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the third on a RBI double from Whitney Elder and a run-scoring single by Chrissy O’Neal.
Jacksonville State took the lead in the bottom of the fifth with a single run and provided the final margin with a grand slam in the sixth. Allie Barker launched a two-out grand slam over the left field wall to give Jacksonville State a 9-4 margin.
The Eagles rallied in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs. Amanda Hall singled home a run and an infield single by Hopkins followed by a throwing error cleared the bases. But JSU’s Ashley Eliasson retired the final batter to preserve the win.
Hopkins and Amanda Hall both went 3-for-4 at the plate.
Eliasson earned the win in relief while GSU starter Megen Smith took the loss (1-1).
Game 2: Campbell 4, Georgia Southern 1
In their second game of the day, the Georgia Southern Eagles fell to the Campbell Camels, 4-1. The Eagles drop to 3-5 on the season, while the Camels improved to 3-1.
The Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Hall singled through the left side. Consecutive singles from Michelle Beasley and Aubrey Thweatt scored Hall.
Following two scoreless innings, the Camels evened the score at 1-1 when Courtney Quinn doubled to right center field. Amanda Littlejohn drove Quinn home on a single.
A lead-off home run by pitcher Brittany Stanley gave Campbell a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth.
The Eagles had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth with Megen Smith in scoring position and two outs. Smith doubled to center field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hall. But after a walk, Smith was stranded as the pitcher induced a groundout.
Two walks and a double by Littlejohn loaded the bases for the Camels in the top of the seventh. Amanda Miller hit a two-out double to right center, scoring Katie Hinton and pinch runner Katie Woodcock.
Hall went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored the lone run.
The Eagles continue play tomorrow against Alabama State at 1 p.m.
Stetson 8, College of Charleston 6
Gainesville, Fla. -- Despite six hits with as many runs, the College of Charleston softball team fell to Stetson, 8-6 in game three of the Cox Communications Classic at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium this afternoon.
With the loss, the Cougars' record falls to 1-8 on the season. The Hatters improve to 4-3.
Charleston's first three runs came in the top of the first inning. Junior Tiffany Harmon led off for the Cougars, reaching base on a walk. Freshman utility player Kristi Woodall singled down the left field line, sending Harmon to second base. After pitcher Shannon Howard walked and Christal Kotchman was hit by a pitch, Harmon and Woodall scored. First baseman Linzi Bereitschaft hit a sacrifice line drive to send Kristie Shifflett in for the third run.
The Hatters responded in the bottom of the first with four runs of their own. Amy Joyce, Jesse Tucker, Nicole Forbes and Blythe Golden each scored runs for Stetson. They added four more runs between the second and sixth innings.
After four innings without scoring a run, CofC added its final three runs in the sixth inning. With Kotchman on first, catcher Brittany Small smacked a double to the centerfield wall. Freshman Alex Williams got reached base on a single to bring Harmon to the plate. The Lynn Haven, Fla., native knocked a triple to right field to bring in runs by Williams, Small and Kotchman.
Harmon went 2-for-3 from the plate with three RBI and one run scored. Woodall, Bereitschaft, Kotchman, Small and Williams each added one hit.
Howard pitched through 5.1 innings striking out four Hatters and recorded five earned runs.
The Cougars' second game of the day comes against host, No. 10 Florida at 6:15 this evening.
Evansville 4, Furman 0
Auburn, Ala. -- Evansville’s Jennifer McKee tossed a one-hitter and Krista Price hammered a three-run homer to guide the Purple Aces to a 4-0 shutout of Furman in game two of the Auburn Tiger Softball Invitational Friday at Jane B. Moore Field.
Shortstop Amanda Ockomon opened the scoring with a leadoff homer to left field to start the game off of Furman hurler Bethany Ullrich. The freshman settled down to toss three scoreless innings before Evansville put together a two-out rally in the top of the fifth inning. Kristen Shirk doubled and Brittany Herald singled with two outs to give the Purple Aces a pair of base runners and Price followed with a three-run shot to left to up the lead to 4-0.
McKee (1-0) did not issue and fanned six batters while allowing just a sixth-inning infield single to the Paladin offense. Ullrich, who got the lone hit for Furman, dropped to 0-1 allowing four runs on eight hits in five innings of work.
Herald and Price each collected two hits as Evansville moved to 2-2 on the season. The loss dropped the Lady Paladins to 1-3.
Furman continues tournament play on Saturday when it faces Marshall at 1:30 p.m. and McNeese State at 7 p.m.
Gardner-Webb 6, Furman 3
Auburn, Ala. -- Gardner-Webb’s Mandy Ward belted a three-run home run during a five-run outburst in the third inning as the Bulldogs downed Furman 6-3 in the opening game of the Auburn Tiger Softball Invitational Friday morning at Jane B. Moore Field.
Furman (1-2) scored single runs in the first and second innings to take an early 2-0 lead. Abby Robertson lifted a sacrifice fly to center in the opening half inning to score Katie Michaels and Morgan Hughey belted her first career home run in the top half of the second for the Lady Paladins.
After striking out the leadoff hitter in the third, Furman’s Lana Mackey ran into trouble. A walk, single and hit batter loaded the bases for Melody Harrell who drilled a two-run double to center field. Ward followed with her three-run blast to give the Bulldogs the lead.
Mackey allowed five runs on four hits while fanning three batters in three innings of work to fall to 1-2 on the season. Hughey and fellow freshman Bethany Ullrich each collected two hits for Furman. Robertson recorded two RBI.
Taryn Beck was credited with the win while Allison Coffey was awarded the save for Gardner-Webb (1-0). Harrell went 1-for-2 with two runs and two RBI to pace the Bulldogs offensively.
Furman returns to action at 1:30 p.m. Friday against Evansville.
Southern Mississippi 6, Appalachian State 2
Kennesaw State 8, Appalachian State 1
KENNESAW, GA. ? The 2008 Appalachian State softball season opened on Friday with a pair of tough losses. The Mountaineers opened the season with a 6-2 loss to Southern Miss., followed by an 8-1 defeat to host Kennesaw State at the K-Club Classic. Freshman Katie Boyd led the way for the Mountaineers, batting 5-for-7 and scoring two runs. The Mountaineer catcher hit a home run in her first collegiate at bat and stole a base in her first day in the Black and Gold.
? GAME 1 ? ASU 2, USM 6 ?
The 2008 Appalachian State softball season is underway. The Mountaineers led the game for an inning, but fell in the end, 6-2 to Southern Miss. In the loss, ASU falls to 0-1 on the season while the Golden Eagles improve to 4-2.
“We saw a lot of heart and maturity today from our newcomers,” said head coach Amy Herrington. “Katie Boyd had an awesome morning, hitting the home run in her first at bat. Now we’ll try to rebound against Kennesaw State.”
Junior starting pitcher Yancy Moose recorded two quick outs in the first inning before walking Golden Eagle Kristen Pilgrim. A passed ball followed by a Jennifer Fox single brought Pilgrim in to score an unearned run, giving USM the early 1-0 lead.
Leading off the second, freshman catcher Katie Boyd stepped into the box for her first collegiate at bat. Boyd laced a 2-1 pitch over the left-centerfield wall to score ASU’s first run of the season. Boyd finished the game with two-hits, two-runs and one RBI to lead the Mountaineers offensively.
Appalachian struck again in the fourth inning; Boyd led off the inning by legging out a single to the shortstop. Next up, sophomore designated player Meagan Squartino laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Boyd to second. A fielder’s choice from junior preseason all-SoCon honoree Ashley Gaston put runners on the corners with only one out to set up junior Stephanie Long, who singled to left, scoring Boyd and giving ASU their first lead of the season. The Mountaineers then loaded the bases late in the frame, but could not push anyone else across the plate.
Southern Miss answered an inning later. Pilgrim was hit by a pitch to open the fifth inning, then Fox walked on four pitches to advance Pilgrim into scoring position. With runners on first and second, Meagan Hill walked to load the bases for the Golden Eagles. Looking to regain the lead, Logan James lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Fox. Next up, Brandi Alonzo reached on a fielder’s choice, loading the bases again, ending Moose’s morning. The Mountaineer starter exited after four and a third innings pitched, allowing four runs on two hits, both singles. She tallied three strikeouts but walked six and hit one, took the loss.
Junior Teri Fister replaced Moose with the bases loaded and one out still in the fifth. On her first batter, Fister walked Lauren Castellvi, pushing another Southern Miss. run across the plate. Next, Kristen Chaney singled through the left side to score Hill. ASU senior left fielder Natalie Willis then cut down Alonzo as she attempted, keeping the score at 4-2. Leadoff hitter Brittney Jones doubled to right field to score Chaney and Castellvi. The double marked the end of Fister’s morning, exiting the game recording one out allowing two runs on two hits as she faced three batters.
Junior Kayla Richardson was handed the ball down 6-2 with two outs and a runner on second base and froze centerfielder Holly Milner on four pitches to end the inning.
ASU failed to mount rallies in the final two chances. Richardson closed the game for the Apps with one and a third innings pitched, one hit and one strikeout.
? Game 2 ? KSU 8, ASU 1 ?
After a two-hour break, the Mountaineers returned to the diamond for a meeting with host Kennesaw State in game three of the K-Club Classic. A win in the coin toss made ASU the home team while playing on the road.
The Owls opened the scoring in the top of the third inning as right fielder Sarah Hesterman hit a home run over the right field wall. The next batter, Hollie Huffman walked on four pitches, and then moved to third via a pair of groundouts. With two outs and Huffman on third, pitcher Jessica Cross helped her own cause by hitting a home run to left field, extending the Kennesaw lead to 3-0.
Looking to answer KSU’s score, junior Brittany Gaston opened the bottom of the third with a double down the right field line. Gaston was then sacrificed over to third by freshman Sarah Rappe. Huffman then struck out freshmen Katie Boyd and Morgan Price to keep ASU off the scoreboard.
In the top of the fourth, KSU shortstop Amanda Malcom leadoff with a bunt single. She was then sacrificed over to third base by catcher Jenna Closner. Hesterman, with a home run already in the game, took ASU junior Kayla Richardson’s first offering over the centerfield fence, making the score 5-0.
Opening the bottom of the fourth, junior Ashley Gaston matched sister Brittany an inning earlier with a double to right field. A batter later, junior Stephanie Long grounded out to short, moving Gaston to third base. With one out, junior transfer Andrea McIntyre plated Gaston with an RBI groundout to second base, to cut the margin to 5-1.
Richardson exited after the four complete innings in the circle. She allowed five runs, all earned, on four hits while striking out and walking three batters. Junior Yancy Moose replaced Richardson, striking out two and walking one in the fifth inning. An inning later, the Owls loaded the bases, but Moose worked out of the jam, allowing no additional runs.
The top of the seventh began with Moose issuing two walks. The shaky start to the inning ended her part in the game, as she left after 4+ innings pitched and with two runs on two hits, four strikeouts and four walks. Richardson re-entered the game and allowed three runs to score on a hit and an error. She then settled down, recording three consecutive outs to end the Owl threat. After six and a half innings, Kennesaw State led 8-1.
In the last of the seventh, Brittany Gaston reached with a single through the right side with one out. Two batters later, with the Mountaineers down to their last strike, Boyd singled down the right field line. Appalachian looked to start a late rally, but on the next at bat, Price flew out to center to end the game.
Richardson was given the loss as the Mountaineers fell to 0-2 on the season.
Offensively, Brittany Gaston and Boyd each batted three-for-four in the game to account for six of ASU’s eight hits.
Appalachian will now face Eastern Kentucky on Saturday at 10 a.m. in game five of the K-Club Classic. ASU will either play in game seven or eight at 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. against one of the other teams in the tournament.