Georgia Southern 7, Western Carolina 2
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern (16-9, 5-1 SoCon) completed a weekend sweep at home against Southern Conference opponent Western Carolina Sunday with a 7-2 win.
Sam Russo (Snellville, Ga.) went 3-3 on the day, driving in three runs as Georgia Southern took a lead on Western Carolina in the early innings and never looked back. Senior Nina Iduate (Norcross, Ga.) opened the game with a bunt single and Kelly Burnett (Boynton Beach, Fla.) advanced Iduate to second on a sacrifice bunt. Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) reached on a fielder's choice, and Iduate attempted to score, but was called out at the plate. Jenny Side (Loganville, Ga.) doubled to right center to drive in Smith. Caitlin Hart (McDonough, Ga.) pinch ran for Side and advanced to third on a wild pitch by Catamounts pitcher Katie King. Sam Russo (Snellville, Ga.) singled through the left side to bring Hart in to score and push their lead to 2-0 after one.
After a solo home run by WCU's Amber Hawkins in the top half of the third, the Eagles went back to work in the bottom half of the inning. Smith reached base after being hit by a pitch. Side doubled to left field to put runners on second and third and Russo singled to bring in both Smith and Side. Russo finished with three RBIs.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Eagles continued their offensive output. Kaitlynn Szczepanski (Chesapeake, Va.) reached base on an error by shortstop Chelsea Shaffer and Iduate also reached on an error by Catamount pitcher King. Sara Hinchman (Douglasville, Ga.) advanced Szczepanski on a groundout and Burnett doubled to center field allowing Iduate and Szczepanski to score.
In the fifth, Andrea Tarashuk (Flemington, N.J.) doubled to right center to plate Mackenzie Williams (Sylvania, Ga.), who reached first on a fielder's choice. Western Carolina would add one run in the top of the sixth inning, however, the Eagles would go on to win 7-2.
Georgia Southern returns for mid- week action against North Florida on Wednesday March 24. Wednesday's matchup is a scheduled doubleheader with the first game beginning at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. All Georgia Southern home games can be heard locally on 91.9 FM, The Buzz, with announcers Daniel Sallerson and Justin Baker. Georgia Southern home games may also be followed under the live stats link at the bottom of www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com.
Elon 3, Appalachian State 2
ELON, N.C. - Emerald Graham drove home Tomeka Watson for the game winning run with a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead the Elon softball team to a 3-2 win over Appalachian State on Sunday afternoon at East Field.
Watson set up the play with a single down the first base line.
The win clinched the Southern Conference series and helped the Phoenix improve to 17-5 overall and 5-1 in league play. Appalachian State fell to 12-9 on the season and 3-3 in the SoCon.
Appalachian State wasted no time getting on the board. With two outs in the top of the first, Katie Boyd hit a solo home run over the center field wall to give the Mountaineers an early 1-0 lead.
Elon answered in the bottom of the third inning, tying the game 1-1. Hannah Shelton got things started with a single to center field and moved to second after Jackie Gonzalez reached on a Mountaineer throwing error. The duo executed a double steal that put runners at second and third. ASU catcher Michelle Lighton tried to throw Shelton out a third, but the throw went awry, allowing Shelton to score the game-tying run.
Appalachian State tried to take advantage of a passing rain shower in the top of the fourth inning. ASU loaded the bases on a fielding error and a pair of walks, prompting a pitching change for the Phoenix. With two outs, Erin O'Shea came on in relief of Taylor and got the final batter to fly out to left field, leaving all three runners stranded.
The Mountaineers took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning. With two away, Boyd drew a walk and then swiped second. A single off the bat of Allie Cashion allowed Boyd to round the bases for the second ASU run of the game. O'Shea struck out the final batter to end the inning.
O'Shea greeted new Appalachian State pitcher Frannie Seader with a single through the left side to start the bottom of the fifth but was called out at second on a fielder's choice by Shelton. With one out, Watson hit a bunt single that allowed Shelton to move to third. Graham picked up her first RBI with a single that plated Shelton and tied the game 2-2.
O'Shea picked up the win to improve to 7-2 on the season. She threw 3.1 innings in relief, allowing just one run on three hits and one walk. Taylor gave up one run on three hits and three walks in 3.2 innings in the circle. The duo combined for three strikeouts.
Appalachian State's Seader suffered the loss to fall to 4-2 on the year. She gave up two runs on five hits and a walk in 2.2 innings of relief. Caitlin Wainright got the start, allowing just one unearned run on two hits in four innings of work. She also struck out four batters.
Elon will step out of conference with a midweek game against Coastal Carolina on Tuesday afternoon in Conway, S.C.