College of Charleston 2, Furman 0
Furman 11, College of Charleston 8
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - Furman plated 11 runs on a season-high 17 hits to power past College of Charleston 11-8 in game two and earn a doubleheader split with the Cougars in Southern Conference softball action on Saturday afternoon at Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. CofC took game one 2-0 behind Terri Mesko's seven-hit shutout.
After Saturday's split, Furman moved to 22-21 overall and 10-9 in the SoCon to remain in a tie for fourth place. The Cougars are one game behind Furman at 22-23 overall and 9-10 in league play. The rubber game of the three-game weekend series between the Paladins and Cougars is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Trailing 4-0 after three innings of play in game two, Furman exploded for 11 runs on 14 hits over the next four innings to claim its 10th league win of the season. Alyssa Williams put the Paladins on the board lacing a double to left-center to plate Morgan Hughey before scoring on Katie Michaels' groundout.
Stephanie Field opened the fifth with a single and the Paladins loaded the bases when Lana Mackey and Brythe Blankenship followed by drawing back-to-back walks. After Hughey drove in Field with a grounder to second base and CofC starter Alexa Datko fanned Alex Bimonte for the second out of the inning, Williams looped a single down the left field line to drive in Mackey and Blankenship to give Furman a 5-4 advantage. Pitcher Hannah Bradley legged out an infield single and Michaels delivered another two-out hit to up the margin to 6-4.
Furman added an insurance run on Bimonte's RBI single in the sixth before putting the game out of reach with a four-run seventh inning. Three straight singles loaded the bases ahead of Blankenship's sacrifice fly before Hughey lined a three-run homer over the left field fence to extend the lead to 11-4.
Katie Forbes' two-run double keyed a CofC rally in the seventh, but Mackey came on in relief to finish off the game and earn her third save of the season.
Bradley improved to 3-6 in the circle allowing eight runs on eight hits in six-plus innings. She walked seven and fanned eight Cougars.
Jessie Homesley went 3-for-5 at the plate while six Paladins notched two hits apiece. Hughey batted in four runs and Williams added three RBI.
Reliever Stephanie Saylors (5-4) was charged with the loss for Charleston surrendering six runs, four earned, on eight hits in 2.1 innings of work. Kristie Shifflett finished 2-for-3 with two doubles while Forbes went 2-for-4 with three RBI for the Cougars.
In the series opener, Mesko (11-7) hurled a seven-hit shutout and stuck out five Paladins without issuing a walk to give Charleston a 2-0 triumph.
Kelley Dillon put the Cougars in front with a two-run double to right-center in the bottom of the third and Mesko stranded seven Furman runners to hold the Paladins at bay.
Mackey (15-9) suffered the loss despite allowing only two runs on four hits over six innings. The Perry, Ga., native fanned seven batters and allowed five walks. Bimonte went 2-for-3 with two doubles in the loss.
All four of Furman's remaining regular season games will be available via GameTracker. Fans can follow Furman action by logging onto www.furmanpaladins.com and following the links on the athletics schedule or by surfing to the Furman softball page.
Chattanooga 3, UNC Greensboro 2 (8)
Chattanooga 6, UNC Greensboro 2
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team won its third-straight and 12th overall Southern Conference Regular Season Title with a 3-2 game one win in eight innings and a 6-2 victory in game two. Sophomore Jessica Traxler (Chino Hills, Calif.) and senior Tia Blosser (Knoxville, Tenn.) each hit two-runs home runs in the fifth inning of the second game as senior Brooke Loudermilk (Locust Grove, Ga.) threw a one hitter.
The Lady Mocs took game one 3-2 in eight innings as junior Lauren Flores (Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga.) drove in freshman Kasey Tydingco (Fairfield, Calif.) on a sacrifice fly in the extra frame. Junior Tiffany Baker (East Ridge, Tenn.) knotted the score at two plating junior Lyndsey Stiles (Hixson, Tenn.) with a single up the middle in the sixth.
"We were able to win another extra inning game today as we had one last week and another at Georgia Southern," said head coach Frank Reed. "We took care of business when we needed to. I thought that we would come out understanding the things that we needed to do and I got on them between games. Fourteen hits in the second game was big for us along with the two home runs. We had some well hit balls and I am excited that everything - hitting, pitching and fielding - came together today for us. The pressure has been multiplied this year by playing so many extra inning and close games. I am really proud of them [for winning the conference regular season title] and its very deserving for a hard working squad."
Entering today's conference matchup, Chattanooga's (37-13, 17-3 SoCon) magic number to clinch the SoCon Title with Elon in second place was set at four. The Phoenix dropped both games of a doubleheader at Georgia Southern, 3-2 and 14-9. The final score of those games gave the Lady Mocs the title and right to host the 2010 Southern Conference Tournament, which will be May 13-14 at Frost Stadium.
"It is a great feeling," said Loudermilk after hearing about the losses by Elon. "We were all screaming on the bus. It is good to know that going into the last weekend there is no pressure. Over the past four years, we have had some great players and I know that the current team will keep going."
The finale of the three-game series against UNC Greensboro (23-26, 10-9 SoCon) is slated for Sunday with the first pitch at 1 p.m. from UNCG Softball Stadium. Chattanooga returns home for Fan Appreciation Day on May 8 with a doubleheader against College of Charleston scheduled for 1 p.m. The final home contest for the Lady Mocs is May 9 as five seniors will be honored prior to the game.
Game One: Chattanooga 3, UNC Greensboro 2 (8 innings)
The UTC softball team once again overcame a one-run deficit in the sixth inning with a run to tie the contest at two as Baker drove in Stiles on second. A sacrifice fly by Flores in the eighth plated Tydingco, who lead off with a single through the right side, put the Lady Mocs up for good 3-2.
In the circle, junior Kandice Irwin (Knoxville, Tenn.) had another phenomenal relief performance for the Lady Mocs going 6.1 innings and striking out seven. Waters started the game going 1.2 innings and yielding two unearned runs on two hits.
In the second, the Spartans got on the board first as Heather Robb walked on an illegal pitch call by Waters during a full count. She advanced to second as a fielding miscue on a grounder up the middle by Whitney Sirois. With two outs and two runners in scoring position, Brittany Ausley delivered a double to right center giving UNCG a 2-0 advantage.
In the third inning, senior Brittany Eason (Chattanooga, Tenn.) led off with a single up the middle. A sacrifice bunt by Traxler and a throwing error by the third baseman allowed Eason to take third. The Lady Mocs scored the first run of the game on a groundout to the second by Tydinco.
To start the sixth, Stiles doubled to right center and after two-straight outs Baker singled up the middle as the second baseman was unable to make a specatular diving catch as the soft liner died behind second.
The Lady Mocs would need extra innings and Tydinco led off the eighth with a single through the right side, then Blosser bunted her over to second on a sacrifice. Baker drew a walk and Waters loaded the bases with a single off the pitcher's glove into a vacnat between first and second base.
The eventual game-winning run by Tydingco was scored on a sacrifice fly by Flores. The center fielder Kristen Gabel caught the ball and threw a bullet to the plate that beat the runner, but the catcher could not hold onto it after applying the tag.
During the bottom-half, the Spartans made it interesting with a one-out single through the right side and after a fielder's choice. A wild pitch from Irwin on a strikeout allowed for runners to occupy the corner bases. Irwin ended the game for the Lady Mocs with a groundout to second.
Pacing the UNC Greensboro offense was Ausley going 3-for-4 with the 2-RBI double, while Alex Emeterio, Kaitlin Merkt and Laura Olenderski also notched hits. In the circle, Amber Harrell threw a complete game giving up just six hits and striking out four.
Game Two: Chattanooga 6, UNC Greensboro 2
The UTC softball team responded after a two-run homer by Eileen Hormsman in the first with a five-run fifth highlighted by two-run round trippers by Traxler and Blosser. Loudermilk threw a complete game one hitter for the Lady Mocs striking out eight topping the 200 plateau for the season.
The Lady Mocs banged out 14 hits during the contest as they scored six runs, but Chattanooga had numerous other chances to add to its lead by leaving atleast two runners on base in the second, fourth, fifth and seventh.
Starting the fifth inning rally was senior Lynleigh Hurndon (McDonough, Ga.) drawing a walk, which was followed by an opposite field blast off the scoreboard in right center by Traxler. It was the third home run of the season for the Chino Hills, Calif., native.
"I was not really seeing the ball well and you could tell that by my other at bats," said Traxler. "I did not want to lose the game, so I was just thinking about seeing the ball and hitting it hard somewhere."
After a double off the base of the fence in right field, Blosser ripped into a two-strike pitch lifting it over the center field fence. The round tripper by the Knoxville, Tenn., native was the fifth of the season.
"I was pumped," said Blosser following the homer. "That was an inning that the team needed and it was awesome to see the bats came alive. Trax really started it off by hitting the home run to tie it up."
After a single by junior Tiffany Baker (East Ridge, Tenn.), Flores singled advancing Waters, who reached on a fielder's choice to second. Senior Kaiti Kelley (Chattanooga, Tenn.) singled to the third allowing the sixth run of the inning to cross the plate.
Finishing off the contest, Loudermilk only allowed three runners to reach base in the final six innings on an error and two walks.
In the circle for UNCG, Cory Mattson started giving up four runs and striking out two through 4.1 innings, Raeanne Hanks threw 2.1 innings yielding two runs and Harrell finished the contest record in the final out of the seventh.
Samford 10, Western Carolina 4
Samford 9, Western Carolina 0
CULLOWHEE, N.C. - The Samford softball team grabbed two Southern Conference wins Saturday as it swept the doubleheader from Western Carolina on the road. In 12 innings, Samford posted 19 runs on 23 hits to WCU's four runs on eight hits. Samford won the first game, 10-4 and the second by a score of 9-0 in five innings. The Bulldogs improve to 16-30 overall and 7-13 in league play while the Catamounts fall to 10-39 overall and 2-17 in the SoCon.
In game one, Samford got on the board quickly in the first inning. Katie England doubled and advanced to third base on the throw from right field. Then Amanda Barrs laid down a sacrifice bunt to drive in England and put the Bulldogs up, 1-0.
Western Carolina took over the lead in the bottom of the second when Shemika Scotten singled and advanced to second on the throw to drive home Kristen Gay and Missy Wills. However, Samford would rally to take the lead back in the top of the third after Aaren Fisher doubled to drive in Amy Gonzalez and Amanda Jordan doubled to score Fisher and Barrs. The Bulldogs led, 4-2, after three innings of play.
Samford added another run in the fourth when Fisher doubled and advanced to third on the throw to bring home Gonzalez, and then put up five runs in the fifth inning to take a 10-2 lead. The first run of the fifth inning was scored when Rachael Reeves grounded out to the shortstop with the bases loaded to score Jordan. Kayla Shaffer then reached first base on an error while Anna Kimbrell scored to make it a 6-2 game. Gonzalez reached first base on a fielder's choice while Tessa Frates scored from third, and then Katie England reached on a fielder's choice while Shaffer scored.
The Bulldogs took the 10-2 lead on the second out of the fifth inning. As Barrs struck out swinging, England stole second base, Fisher stole third and Gonzalez stole home. The Bulldogs plated five runs on two hits in the fifth inning.
The Catamounts scored one in the bottom of the fifth when Haley Pace homered to lead off the inning and one in the sixth on a double by Danielle Reese, but it would not be enough as Samford would go on to win the first game, 10-2.
Gonzalez and Jordan led the Bulldogs in the first game. Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with three runs and one RBI while Jordan when 3-for-5 with one run and two RBI. Fisher was 2-for-4 with one run and two RBI while England and Kimbrell also had one hit and one run each.
Kayla Burris (2-2) earned the win after taking over in the pitcher's circle in the second inning. She gave up just two earned runs on five hits and struck out two batters in 5.1 innings of play. Stephanie Royall started the game and pitched one and two-thirds inning, giving up two earned runs on three hits while walking three batters.
Gay led the Catamounts, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs. Six other WCU players had one hit each while Scotton had two RBI and Pace and Reese had one each.
Amber Steinhardt (7-14) took the loss for the Catamounts, giving up four runs on four hits while walking one batter and striking out two in 2.1 innings. Katie King finished the game and gave up two earned runs on six hits while striking out four batters and walking three.
In the second game, Samford plated three runs quickly to take the lead first for the second time of the day. With one out in the top of the first, England got a base-hit and then advanced to second base on a passed ball. Barrs then singled and advanced to second on the throw and then advanced to third as England came in to score the first Bulldog run. Jordan then singled up the middle to drive home Barrs before Kimbrell reached first base on an error while Jordan scored the third run of the inning.
England led off the third inning with her fourth home run of the season to put the Bulldogs ahead 4-0 and then Samford took a 9-0 lead in the top of the fourth as it put together another five-run inning.
In the fourth, Fisher singled with one out and then stole second to get into scoring position. England doubled to center to score Fisher before Barrs singled and then stole second base. Jordan singled to drive in England and then Shaffer got a base-hit to bring home Barrs. Still with one out on the board, WCU changed pitchers but Kimbrell would get Samford's sixth hit of the inning and drive in Jordan to extend the Bulldogs' lead to 8-0. Reeves then drove in what would be the final run on a double and advance to third before getting thrown out at home.
England led the Bulldogs in the second game, going 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs and two RBI. Jordan was 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBI while Kimbrell also went 2-for-3 with one RBI. Eight of nine Bulldogs had at least one hit, with four grabbing multiple hits in the game.
Barrs (3-14) pitched her first shutout along with Burris, giving up just four hits and striking out two batters in five innings of play.
Four Catamounts had one hit each including Jordan Fulton, Scotten, Reese and Robyn Burnette. King (2-22) took the loss after giving up eight earned runs on nine hits in 3.1 innings of play. Chere Monday pitched one and two-thirds innings and gave up just two hits while walking one batter.
The Bulldogs will go for the series sweep Sunday in the series finale at 11 a.m. CDT. A full recap and results will be posted on www.samfordsports.com upon the completion of the game. Fans can follow live stats through links at www.samfordsports.com.
Georgia Southern 3, Elon 2
Georgia Southern 14, Elon 9
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern swept Elon in a Southern Conference doubleheader Saturday, out-slugging the Phoenix for a 14-9 win in game two after junior Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) won game one with a walk-off RBI-single to give the Eagles a 3-2 victory.
The Eagles (26-23, 11-8 SoCon) knocked around Elon (33-16, 15-8 SoCon) pitchers for 20 hits in the second game, finishing five short of the single-game school record of 25 set against Savannah State on April 22, 2008. Seniors Nina Iduate (Norcross, Ga.) and Jenny Side (Loganville, Ga.) led the offensive charge, combining to go 9-for-10 with four RBIs and six runs scored in game two.
Georgia Southern sent 17 batters to the plate in the first two innings, taking a 9-2 lead, but Elon scored seven in the third to tie the game 9-9. Junior Brianna Streetmon (Winder, Ga.) came in to close the door, holding the Phoenix scoreless over the final 4.2 innings for her second win of the day.
Streetmon (17-9) also earned a complete game win in game one, finishing the day with 11.2 innings pitched. She held Elon to just two runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and a walk in two outings.
Lauren Taylor (14-6) was charged with the loss for Elon in game two, throwing a split 5.0 innings, allowing 10 runs, seven earned, on 16 hits.
Iduate gave the Eagles an early lead in game one, lining a hit into left-centerfield for two RBIs in the bottom of the second. Elon scored a run in the top of the third and another in the top of the sixth to tie the game 2-2, forcing the Eagles to bat in the bottom of the seventh.
Freshman Tabby Douberley (Clyo, Ga.) led off the inning with her second walk of the day, and Iduate reached on an error laying down a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Marie Fogle (Rincon, Ga.) walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Smith's heroics. The junior delivered with a shot through the left side of the infield to take the 3-2 win.
Erin O'Shea (15-6) took the loss for Elon in game one, allowing three runs on four hits with three strikeouts and five walks.
Iduate went 6-for-7 on the day, with three RBIs and three runs scored. After her single in the fourth inning was misplayed by the centerfielder and went to the fence, Iduate, junior Caitlin Hart (McDonough, Ga.) and sophomore Hanna Ennis (Snellville, Ga.) all scored. Side finished 5-for-8 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Senior Sam Russo (Snellville, Ga.) went 4-for-6 at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored. Douberley recorded her first career hit, going 2-for-5 with two walks and an RBI. Smith went 2-for-7 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
The Eagles will wrap up the series against Elon Sunday at 1 p.m. The Georgia Southern softball program will honors its seniors with a pregame ceremony scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m.
Sunday's game can be heard globally on www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com with announcers Drew Cheshire and Daniel Sallerson. Live Stats will be available HERE. Fans may also follow the score, posted every half inning, via Twitter at www.twitter.com/GSScores.