Chattanooga 1, Fordham 0
CLERMONT, Fla. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team completed Dot Richardson's National Collegiate Softball Invitational on a high note with a 1-0 victory against Fordham (1-3) in Clermont, Fla. Senior Lyndsey Stiles recorded the game-winning triple and the pitching combination of seniors Michelle Fuzzard and Kandice Irwin shutout the Rams.
In the circle, Fuzzard threw 5.2 innings in picking up the win, only yielding three hits and striking out two. Irwin came in with the bases loaded in the sixth and got a fly out to end the sixth and eventually picked up her second save of the season.
Leading Chattanooga (2-3) offensively was Stiles, who registered two hits after a slow start to the season. Seniors third baseman Tiffany Baker and outfielder Lauren Flores, junior shortstop Jessica Traxler also notched singles for the Lady Mocs.
In the bottom of the first inning, the Rams threatened with a double to left by Dearborn and eventually reached third on a ground out, but was stranded.
Both teams were retired in order during the second. Flores was the first runner on base for the Lady Mocs, beating out an infield single into the hole between shortstop and third.
With two outs, Stiles tripled by hitting a shot over the head of the right fielder that rolled up against the fence. It was a standup triple as Flores easily scored from first to put Chattanooga on top, 1-0.
Fuzzard recorded two of her three strikeouts in the third as she settled in and the contest would remain uneventful as the Lady Mocs chased down fly balls in the outfield.
In the bottom of the sixth, Fordham would take advantage of a throwing error by the shotstop with two outs that would have ended the frame.
Instead, the Rams loaded the bases with a single down the left field line and a walk. Irwin came in to relieve Fuzzard and got a fly out to left fielder Flores.
The seventh started for Chattanooga with a single to left by Baker and another single to the same place from Traxler. Head coach Frank Reed tried everything to add to the lead, but the Rams were able to get out of the side without any damage.
In the seventh, Fordham recorded a one out single, but that was all the Irwin would allow in striking out the final two batters of the game.
Chelsea Plimpton threw the first five innings for the Rams and struck out six, while Jen Mineau finished the contest striking out two. Four Rams came up with singles on the afternoon.
Chattanooga returns to action next weekend in Mobile, Ala., at the South Alabama Mardi Gras Tournament. The Lady Mocs open the event with a doubleheader against Ohio State and Evansville beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Western Carolina 11, North Carolina Central 2
Western Carolina 16, Maryland Eastern Shore 0
CARY, N.C. - Western Carolina softball swept Sunday's action at the Lady Eagle Invitational defeating host North Carolina Central 11-2 and Maryland Eastern Shore 16-0 at Thomas Brooks Park.
The Catamounts begin the season 4-0 for the first time in the program's seven year history. Western Carolina began its softball program in 2006. Overall, Western Carolina scored 57 runs in the four games played. In 2010, WCU scored a total of 154 runs in 53 games.
Erin Foster, a junior college transfer from Walter State, had a huge weekend in her first games in a Western Carolina uniform. She ended the four contests with nine hits, 11 RBI, six runs scored, two homeruns and a double.
The final day of action began with Western Carolina matched up against host North Carolina Central. The Catamounts didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard, posting six runs in the top of the first inning.
The opening frame was highlighted by Shemekia Scotton hitting the first homerun of her career, and first homerun of the season; sending in three runs. Overall, Western Carolina got six runs on six hits.
The Catamounts scored a run in the second and four in the second before North Carolina Central scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Sophomore pitcher Amber Steinhardt improved to 2-0 on the mound earning a victory against North Carolina Central. She allowed two runs on four hits and struck out one.
Foster led WCU against the Lady Eagles going 3-for-4 with four RBI and a double. Scotton also ended the game with four RBI.
In the final game of the tournament, Western Carolina earned its first shutout of the season on the arm of junior lefty hurler Katie King. She also got the offensive output, as the Catamounts scorched the first inning with 11 runs. King earned her first win of the season allowing just two hits and striking out two in the five inning game.
The Catamounts went through their lineup and started again in the first inning. Western Carolina took the early lead with 11 runs on seven hits and also benefitted from four Maryland Eastern Shore errors. Foster had a huge first inning, with two homeruns in the inning accounting for five of the 11 runs scored.
Western Carolina added three runs in the second inning and two runs in the third. The Catamounts had a pair of extra base hits in the second inning. Jordan Fulton had a double which set up and two RBI single by Makenzi McAteer that scored Fulton and Steinhardt. Robyn's Burnette's triple accounted for the third run in the inning, scoring Amelia Griffin.
In the third inning, Scotton hit her second homerun of the day. With two outs, Steinhardt singled and Scotton followed with a homerun for the two runs in the third.
Four Catamounts had multiple hits in the game against Maryland Eastern Shore. Steinhardt went 3-for3 in the game, Burnette went 2-for2 and Foster and Fulton went were 2-for-3. Foster led the Catamounts with five RBI.
Western Carolina travels to Orangeburg, S.C. Wednesday for a doubleheader with South Carolina State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Samford 9, Alabama State 1
Auburn 5, Samford 0
VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. - The Samford softball team split a pair of games Sunday to close out play in the All-Alabama Classic at the Vestavia Hills Sports Complex. The Bulldogs used three home runs to take a 9-1 decision against Alabama State before falling to Auburn, 5-0, in the final game of the tournament.
Redshirt freshman Brianna Chambers and true freshman Nicole Bobrowski hit their first career home runs in Samford's win over Alabama State. Junior Robyn Harmom hit her first of the season in the first inning against the Hornets.
Chambers led the Bulldogs against Alabama State, going 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs and three RBI. Whitney Terry also went 3-for-3 with an RBI while Aaren Fisher and Harmon each went 2-for-4. Fisher added a run while Harmon posted two RBI and scored two runs.
Alex Adams and Bobrowski each went 1-for-2 at the plate and scored a run while Bobrowski also tallied an RBI. Amanda Jordan and Madeline Baker also each scored a run for the Bulldogs.
Kayla Burris (1-1) earned the win for Samford, pitching a complete game and giving up just one earned run on nine hits. She struck out four batters and walked one.
For the Hornets, Brehanna Rodrigues, Meagan Dixon and Sosefina Toilolo tallied two hits each to lead their team. Mercedes Frazier, Stephanie Hernandez and Megan Surovik also posted one hit each. Hernandez tallied ASU's only RBI as she batted in Dixon who scored the Hornets' only run.
Sarah Levern (0-2) took the loss for the Hornets, giving up five earned runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings of work. She struck out three batters and walked three as well.
Samford quickly got on the board in the bottom of the first inning. With one out in the inning, Harmon belted a home run to center field to plate Samford's first run of the game. Jordan then walked and advanced to second base on a wild pitch to get into scoring position. Chambers followed with a deep single to center field, which brought Jordan in to put Samford ahead, 2-0.
After a quiet second inning, Samford added two more runs to the board in the bottom of the third inning as Chambers homered with a runner on base and one out. The Bulldogs took a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning after Terry hit a single that scored Chambers from third base.
Alabama State finally got on the board in the top of the sixth inning. With one out and the bases loaded, Hernandez got a base hit to move the runners and score Dixon. Toilolo was originally called safe but the call was reversed when it was decided that the throw from left field to third base was in time to get the out. Burris struck out Macy Rodruguez to record the final out and move to the bottom of the inning with a 5-1 lead.
Samford opened up the lead quickly in the bottom of the inning as Baker walked, stole second and third and then scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Fisher then stepped up and got a base hit before Harmon tripled to bring Fisher home, and then Harmon scored on another error by the catcher. Jordan popped up for the first out of the inning but Bobrowski ended the game with a walk-off home run to hand Samford the 9-1 win.
Against Auburn, Jordan was the only batter to get a hit for Samford. She went 2-for-3 at the plate. Harmon (0-2) started the game and earned the loss after giving up two runs on three hits in the first inning. Burris finished the final four innings for Samford, giving up three runs on four hits. She struck out one batter and walked five.
Morgan Estell led the Tigers with a 2-for-3 performance and two runs. Kyndall White also went 2-for-3 while tallying a run and three RBI. Lauren Guzman, Elizabeth Eisterhold and Kelley Smiley each had a hit for Auburn while Amber Harrision tallied an RBI.
Angel Bunner (1-0) earned the win, pitching a complete game and giving up just two hits. She struck out two batters and walked one.
The Bulldogs will be back in action next weekend as they head to Troy, Ala., to play in the Quality Inn Classic. The Bulldogs will take on Central Arkansas, Bradley, North Florida and Troy in the three-day tournament.
Radford 4, Georgia Southern 3
Georgia Southern 3, Mercer 2
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern Softball (2-2) earned a two-game split on Sunday afternoon (February 13th) at Eagle Field as the Eagles fell to Radford, 4-3, before defeating Mercer, 3-2, in the final game of the SpringHill Suites Eagle Classic. The Eagles were unable to hold onto an early two-run lead against Radford to open the day. A fifth inning error by Hanna Ennis allowed the Bears to tie the game. An inning later, she atoned with a first-pitch home run which propelled the Eagles to a thrilling win to close the tournament.
The Eagles jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the Bears in the second inning. With Jorie Walker on first base, Alexa Lewis singled to right field and advanced to second on the throw to third base. Marie Fogle followed with an infield single that scored Walker. Kelly Burnett hit a high pop fly just in front of home plate that Bears' first baseman Allison Jones mishandled. That mistake allowed Lewis to cross the plate to put the Eagles ahead 2-0.
The Bears would cut the Eagles' lead in half in the fourth inning after McKenzie Woody reached on Ennis' error that brought Anna Johnson home. Mercer would tie the ball game in the fifth inning with a single by Krista Kennedy to plate Amanda Santa Maria.
Brianna Streetmon would come in to pitch for the Eagles in the sixth inning and stifle the Bears' bats, earning her first win on the young season. Freshman pitchers Allie Miles and Sarah Purvis both earned their first career starts on Sunday. Miles pitched two innings of no-hit ball, striking out one while Purvis pitched six innings, striking out six more batters to bring her season total to a team-leading 12.
Georgia Southern opened action on Day 2 of the SpringHill Suites Eagle Classic with a 4-3 loss against Radford.
The Eagles got the scoring started in the first inning against Radford. Megen Smith reached on an error when Highlanders' centerfielder Morgan Eye misjudged a fly ball. Mackenzie Williams made the Highlanders pay with her mammoth home run on a 2-2 pitch to left field, giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead.
Radford erased the Eagles' lead in the top half of the next inning when Hannah Ojeda hit a home run to lead off. Radford would plate the tying run on a Lauren Williams' single. The Eagles answered in the bottom of the third inning when Marie Fogle homered to left centerfield for a 3-2 Georgia Southern score.
Radford would tie the ball game again in the fifth inning when Michelle Beall singled to right field bringing in Lauren Williams, who had singled and then stole second. Radford would take its only lead of the day in the sixth inning when Taylor Cunningham doubled down the left field line with two outs to bring Hannah Ojeda in to score. The Eagles would be unable to find an answer to the Highlanders' pitching in the final innings of the contest.
Kent State 11, Elon 3
Elon 10, Youngstown State 2
ELON, N.C. - Senior Emerald Graham drove in eight runs and finished the day with four hits, including three home runs, to help lead the Elon University softball team to a split on the final day of the Phoenix Leadoff Classic on Sunday, Feb. 13, at East Field.
Elon dropped its first game to the Kent State Golden Flashes, 11-3, before rebounding for a 10-2 victory in six innings over the Youngstown State Penguins.
Graham finished the day 4-for-6 at the plate with eight RBI and four runs scored. Senior pitcher Lauren Taylor moved to 2-0 on the year with six innings pitched in the second game, allowing only four hits and two walks, while tallying five strikeouts.
Game 1
The Phoenix escaped an early threat by the Golden Flashes of Kent State in the first inning when KSU put runners on second and third with one out. Senior Pam DelPizzo was able to pitch out of the jam by forcing a pop-up to second and a groundout to short.
The Golden Flashes capitalized on a pair of Phoenix walks and an RBI single by Abbey Ledford to give KSU an early 1-0 lead. After another walk to load the bases junior Erin O'Shea relieved DelPizzo, the Flashed rallied for two more runs to take a 3-0 advantage.
Elon threatened in the second inning after a pair of errors and a wild pitch put sophomore Morgan Wright and freshman Lauren Oldham on second and third. But the Phoenix was not able to cut into the deficit leaving both runners stranded on base.
Kent State tacked on to its lead with a two run opposite-field homer to right off the bat of Jessica Blanton and eventually putting Elon behind, 6-0, going into the bottom of the third. KSU broke the game open in the fifth off five runs on five hits and increasing its advantage to 11-0.
Elon threatened in the fifth and got on the board with a three-run shot by Graham making it an 11-3 ballgame. A single by junior Kaitlyn Piazzolla and a Texas league double down the left field line by DelPizzo put runners at second and third with two down. However, the Phoenix could not capitalize and the game ended at 11-3 in favor of the Golden Flashes.
Game 2
The Phoenix offense scored early in game two after sophomore Tomeka Watson hit a single up the middle in the leadoff spot to give Elon momentum. Watson advanced to second later in the inning on a throwing error and later stole third to put Elon in scoring position early. Graham came up with a clutch two-out double to right center to drive in Watson and give the Phoenix a 1-0 lead.
The Penguins tried to rally in the third after loading the bases, but Taylor got out of the inning without any damage after getting a force out at home on a groundball to second and a strikeout to leave the score at 1-0.
Graham continued her dominance at the plate in the bottom of the third after smashing a three-run homer, her second three-run shot of the day and third of the weekend, to move the Elon lead to 4-0.
Youngstown State got on the board in the fifth after Haley Thomas was walked and later scored on consecutive groundouts. Vicky Rumph then homered to left to help the Penguins cut the Phoenix lead in half, 4-2.
Elon got the two runs back in the bottom half of the inning and just about put the game out of reach, as a two-run single from rookie Lauren Oldham made it a 6-2 game. Elon capitalized on YSU walks later in the inning to plate three more runs and eventually took a commanding 9-2 advantage.
Graham remained hot in the sixth inning, sending her fourth home run of the weekend to right center to end the game and give Elon the 10-2 victory.
The Phoenix continues play next weekend at home as Seton Hall, Dayton and Morgan State travel to East Field for the Elon Invitational. The Phoenix's first game is set for Friday at 2 p.m. against Seton Hall.
Texas Tech 10, Appalachian State 9
TEMPE, Ariz.- Texas Tech University's (5-0) Emily Bledsoe crushed a homerun over the right field fence in the bottom of the seventh inning with one runner on to deny Appalachian State University softball (0-6) its first win of the 2011 campaign in the tournament finale of the Kajikawa Classic, defeating ASU, 10-9, on Sunday afternoon at the Tempe Sports Complex in Tempe, Ariz.
After scoring its first runs of the season in yesterday's games, the Mountaineers brought that momentum into Sunday's game with the Red Raiders.
Things started off rough for TTU pitcher Kelsey Dennis as she struggled with illegal pitches that allowed senior Katie Boyd to reach via a leadoff walk. After getting on, Boyd swiped her second base of the season on the next pitch. The Walkertown-native was award another base after Dennis threw another illegal pitch. Texas Tech head coach Shanon Hays argued the illegal pitches and was ejected from the game and after Dennis walked senior Sarah Rappe, a pitching change was prompted.
Rappe thieved her fifth base of the tournament, giving the Apps runners on second and third. Brittany Talley, who came in relief of Dennis, struggled with illegal pitches as well, allowing both Boyd and Rappe to walk around the bases to put ASU up 2-0. Sophomore Meghan Smith continued her hot hitting and singled through the right side of the field to give the Mountaineers their first hit of the contest. Sophomore Sheridan Phillips struck out for the first out of the inning, but Smith was allowed to go up a base on an illegal pitch. Senior Hannah Dow singled through the left field side, allowing Smith to get to third, but while making an attempt to get out Smith, Dow advanced to second. Smith's good fortune ran out as she was thrown out trying to steal home and junior Michelle Lighton struck out to end the Mountaineers' first frame.
The Red Raiders were only allowed to get one run in their half of the inning after Emily Bledsoe doubled home Mikey Kenney, who reached on a walk and was sacrificed over to second base by Stephanie Drewry.
Sophomore Allie Cashion started off the ASU second inning with a hot single to the TTU third baseman and was sacrificed over by redshirt junior Michelle Gorzelle. After junior Megan Rembielak and Boyd reached on a walk and fielders' choice, Rappe lifted a pitch over the right field fence for her first collegiate homerun, giving Appalachian a 5-1 cushion. ASU tacked on one more run and took a 6-1 lead into the bottom of the second.
TTU was not to be outdone as they added a three spot on the board, as well in its half of the inning to move the ASU lead to 6-4.
The Mountaineers relied on the long ball again in the third inning as Cashion crushed her first homerun of the season, giving the Black and Gold offense a 7-4 lead.
Texas Tech sprinkled in one run apiece in the fourth and fifth innings and at the top of the sixth inning, the Apps got back on the board, as well. Gorzelle singled right back up the middle and sophomore Hayley Grabner was put in to pinch run for Gorzelle. Rembielak sacrificed over Grabner and motored around and scored after Boyd laced a ball to second base, but the second base man was not able to make a play on it. Boyd stole second, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning for ASU.
The Mountaineers took an 8-6 lead into the top of the seventh and added one more for measure after Dow smashed her second home run of the weekend into dead center, giving ASU a 9-6 advantage heading into the final at bat for TTU.
In the final frame for the Red Raiders Holley Gentsch popped up to second base for the first out of inning, but Ashley Hamada singled into center field in the next at bat. Kenney doubled into right center and Hamada was halted on third base, giving Texas Tech runners on second and third. Drewry flew out to left field, scoring Hamada and cutting ASU's lead down to two runs. With Kenney advancing to third base, it was then that Bledsoe crushed the ball over the fence, crushing ASU's hope of gathering its first win of the season and winning the game for the Red Raiders.
Sophomore Frannie Seader (0-2), who came in relief of sophomore Louise Gibson, took the loss, while TTU's Ashley Brokeshoulder recorded her first win of the season.
The Black and Gold offense was paced by Dow with three hits and Smith and Cashion with two.
The Mountaineers continue their preseason slate as they head to the Georgia State Panther Invitational in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 19-20) for a three-game tournament.
St. John's 13, UNCG 7
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - UNCG dropped a 13-7 decision to St. John's in the consolation game of the Seminole Kick Off Classic on Sunday.
The Spartans (2-3) found themselves down 9-0 in the third inning before finally getting their offense into gear. UNCG answered the Red Storm's four-run third with a four-spot of its own in the bottom half of the frame.
Freshmen Ashley Reetz and Aisha Figueroa led off the inning with consecutive infield singles, and after a Kristen Gabel sacrifice, Alex Emeterio walked to load the bases. Kaitlin Merkt hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Reetz with UNCG's first run of the game, and Eileen Horsmon and Katelyn Bedwell drew consecutive walks to force in another run.
Pinch-hitter Jordan Jewett hit a two-run single to bring in Emeterio and Horsmon before relief pitcher Ashley Beza came on to get the final out of the inning.
UNCG starter Cory Mattson settled in after the rocky start, working a pair of scoreless innings before the Red Storm (2-3) struck for two more in the sixth on a bases-loaded walk by Julia Sanchez and an RBI groundout by Amber Curry.
The Spartans once again had the answer, matching St. John's with two in the bottom half. Reetz and Figueroa again played prominent roles in the scoring, as Reetz led off with a single and stole second and Figueroa brought her in with a single to right center. Gabel would score later in the inning on a Red Storm error.
St. John's tacked on a pair of unearned runs in the top of the seventh, and UNCG scored on a Figueroa fielder's choice in the bottom half for the final run of the afternoon.
The Red Storm jumped out to its early lead thanks to two runs in the first, three in the second and four in the third. Shortstop Chrissy Montez seemed to be in the middle of anything, as she had an RBI single in the first, a two-run single in the second and another RBI hit in the third.
Mattson (1-2) took the loss, allowing 10 earned runs on 12 hits and 11 walks in the complete-game effort.
Figueroa, Merkt, Jewett and Reetz had two hits each for the Spartans. Horsmon drew three walks.
Montez was 3-for-5 with four RBI for the Red Storm, while Fachon Jones was 3-for-4 with two runs.
UNCG returns to action next weekend at Charlotte's First Pitch Classic in Charlotte, N.C. The Spartans will face Charlotte, Eastern Kentucky and St. Francis at the three-day tournament.
Charleston Southern 1, Furman 0
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Morgan Dowdy tossed a three-hit shutout to lead Charleston Southern past Furman, 1-0, on Sunday morning at the Palmetto State Softball Showdown at Beckham Field in Columbia, S.C.
Dowdy (1-0) fanned three batters and walk only two in a complete game effort while Hayes Holdsworth belted a third-inning solo homer to provide the only offense of the afternoon as the Bucs improved to 2-2 on the season. The loss dropped Furman to 0-4.
Freshman Lauren Collier (0-2) suffered the loss for the Paladins despite her strongest performance during the opening weekend of the season. The Maineville, Ohio, native allowed only three hits while walking just two batters and striking out six in the 1-0 defeat.
Morgan Hughey went 1-for-1 with a single and a pair of walks. Furman's offense has posted just one run over its last 15 innings of play.
The Paladins travel to Boiling Springs, N.C., next Saturday to face Gardner-Webb in a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m.