Furman 3, Appalachian State 1
Appalachian State 4, Furman 3
Greenville, S.C. – Furman earned a doubleheader split with Appalachian State on Saturday afternoon in Southern Conference softball action at Pepsi Stadium claiming game one, 3-1, before the Mountaineers took a 4-3 decision in game two.
Game 1
Senior Hannah Bradley surrendered just one run and scattered six hits to earn the victory, and Lakyn Shull worked two scoreless frames to pick up the save as Furman topped the Mountaineers, 3-1, in the series opener to snap a six-game slide.
Bradley struck out three batters and walked just two while improving to 2-5 in the circle.
Shull, who allowed only one hit in two innings, secured her second save of the season.
After Appalachian State took a 1-0 lead on Michelle Lighton’s solo blast in the top of the fourth inning, Furman answered immediately as Lauren Collier opened the bottom of the frame with a double down the line and scored on Emily Boyer’s single to right-center. The Paladins took the lead in the fifth as Nikki Legg reached on a bunt single, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Taylor Jenkins’ one-out double.
Furman added an insurance run in the sixth to up the margin to 3-1. Natalie Clemmons singled to left field and Stephanie Spain followed with an RBI triple into the right field corner.
Jenkins and Boyer each collected a pair of hits for the Paladins as Furman out-hit the Mountaineers 8-7. Megan Rembielak went 3-for-4 to pace Appalachian State.
Caitlin Wainright (4-6) suffered the loss for the Mountaineers allowing three runs on eight hits in six innings.
Game 2
Appalachian State evened the series at 1-1 with a 4-3 victory in game two. The Mountaineers plated four runs on five hits against Furman starter Lauren Collier to chase the sophomore after only 1.2 innings of work.
Allie Cashion opened the second with a homer and Caroline Williams, Caroline Rogers and Lighton followed with singles to load the bases. Brittany Pierce and Dani Heichen both drove in runs with ground outs before Sarah Warnock blooped a single to left field to increase the Mountaineer lead to 4-0.
Jessie Homesley singled up the middle in the bottom of the third to put Furman on the board and the Paladins pulled within a run an inning later when freshman Ambree Muller drilled a two-run double to wall in left-center field.
Williams, however, held Furman without a hit over the final three innings to help ASU hold onto the lead and earn a split. The right-hander, who improved to 3-1, limited Furman to three runs on six hits while walking one and striking out one.
Warnock, Cashion and Williams each tallied two hits to lead Appalachian’s 10-hit attack as the Mountaineers improved to 11-10 overall and 2-3 in SoCon play.
Collier (1-6) took the loss for Furman after allowing six of the 11 batters she faced to reach base. Shelby Parker and Lakyn Shull combined to toss 5.1 scoreless innings of relief.
Muller went 2-for-3 with two RBI as Furman slipped to 8-16 overall and 1-4 in the SoCon.
The Paladins and Mountaineers will play the rubber game of the three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Pepsi Stadium. Admission is free.
College of Charleston 4, Samford 2
College of Charleston 7, Samford 1
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The College of Charleston softball team swept its second straight doubleheader as the Cougars took a pair from Samford on Saturday afternoon at Patriots Point. The Cougars won the opener, 4-2, and backed it up with a 7-1 win the second game. The teams conclude the series with a third game on Sunday, March 18 at 1 p.m.
Stephanie Saylors and Hope Klicker both pitched complete games and also both picked up their seventh wins of the season.
Lizzy Vaughn and Kelsey Hodgson both had two RBIs for the Cougars in the first game.
In the second, Mackenzie Maples drove in three runs with the help of her two-run homerun which cleared the fence in right field. The homer was the first of the freshman’s collegiate career.
Kristy Giragosian once again reached base in both games to extend her reaching-base streak to 10 games.
The Cougars had to rally from behind in both games.
GAME ONE: CofC: 4, Samford: 2
Saylors went the distance in the first game while striking out two batters and surrendering five hits.
The Cougars fell behind in the third when they committed three fielding errors and the Samford bats produced three hits to plate two runs.
The CofC offense sprung to live in the bottom of the fourth inning when Giragosian, Klicker and Courtney Clark all walked to load the bases. Vaughn and Hodgson both singled and drove in a pair to put the Cougars up 4-2, the eventual final.
GAME TWO: CofC: 7, Samford: 1
In the second game, Klicker allowed just three hits and struck out three batters.
The Bulldogs’ lone run came in the second when Nicole Brobowski singled up the middle and Abby Adams sent a double over the head of the left fielder to score the run.
The lead wouldn’t last long though as Maples homered in the bottom half of the inning with Allison Pedigo aboard to put CofC up 2-1, a lead they’d only increase.
The Cougars picked up three more hits in the next inning, the third of which was an RBI single for Pedigo which scored Amanda Lonergan.
In the fifth, Maples picked up her third RBI of the game when she singled to left center and brought Pedigo to the plate to make the score 4-1.
CofC tacked on three more in the sixth inning when they loaded the bases before Giragosian and Hodgson both singled and Pedigo walked.
Georgia Southern 5, Western Carolina 1
Georgia Southern 3, Western Carolina 2
STATESBORO, Ga. –Georgia Southern Softball took a pair of wins on Saturday afternoon at Eagle Field to sweep the first two games of a three-game set against Western Carolina on St. Patrick’s Day. The Eagles were blessed by the gift of runs in the opener, winning 5-1. In the finale, Western tied the game in the top of the sixth, but a pinch hit double by Shelby Morrill won the game and moved the Eagles to 16-10 and 5-0 in league play to lead the Southern Conference.
-GAME ONE-
In the bottom of the first, Georgia Southern turned a leadoff walk into an opening inning run with the help of a throwing error by the Western Carolina pitcher. Another walk with the bases loaded and two outs gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead after the opening inning of play.
The Catamounts clawed back in the third, slicing a run back by working a leadoff single in for a run in the inning and making the score 2-1.
In the fifth, Georgia Southern added two more runs. Savanah Coon drove a double to left with two outs which plated Marie Fogle from third base. On the next play, Kourtny Thomas hit what looked to be an inning ending grounder to short. The ball was fielded cleanly, but a bad throw allowed Coon to score from second and put the Eagles up 4-1.
Freshman Lexi Allen made her first career start in the right field in game one of the doubleheader and posted two hits from three chances along with a pair of stolen bases. In the sixth inning, Allen scored GSU’s fifth run of the game off a triple by Fogle which took a strange carom off the fence down the left field line.
Pitcher Sarah Purvis tossed another gem for the Eagles to post her eight win of the season. She went the distance allowing just one run while striking out the first eight outs of the game. Purvis finished the outing with 10 strikeouts.
-GAME TWO-
The Eagles broke the 0-0 deadlock in the bottom of the second by taking advantage of a pair of Catamount errors with two outs in the frame Tabby Douberley grounded to second base but an errant throw bounced off the Eagle dugout and into right field. The ball got away from the WCU fielder, allowing Coon to scamper home from first base after pausing at third momentarily for a 1-0 Eagle lead.
Fogle added to the lead in the fifth with her second triple of the day. The frozen rope to the gap in left hit off the base of the fence and allowed Fogle to reach third while Alexa Lewis scored on the play to give GSU a 2-0 lead.
Western Carolina mustered a pair of runs to tie the game in the top of the sixth inning by taking advantage of a Georgia Southern throwing error. The wild throw put runners on second and third as Kelly Bramen’s single to right drove in two runs. It was her third hit from as many trips to the plate in the game.
The single forced a Georgia Southern pitching change as starting pitcher Allie Miles was replaced by Brooke Red. The catamounts would put runners on the corners before Red got out of the jam with no further damage. Miles left allowing four hits over 5.1 innings while striking out five Catamounts.
In the bottom of the frame, Morrill delivered a clutch pinch hit double with a runner on second to give GSU the lead, 3-2. The hard-hit ball barely stayed within the park, hitting off the base of the wall, allowing pinch runner Breanna McLendon to score easily for a 3-2 Eagle lead.
Red came back out for the top of the seventh and mowed through the Catamount batters en route to her sixth win of the season against no losses.
The Eagles close out the three-game set on Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. contest against the Catamounts from Eagle Field. The game can be heard live on 91.9-FM The Buzz with live streaming for free on Eagle Vision.
UNCG 5, Elon 0
Elon 7, UNCG 5
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Elon softball team dropped the first game of the doubleheader at UNCG, 5-0, but came back from behind to take a 7-5 win in the second game today, March 17. The Phoenix is now 15-5 on the season and 4-1 in SoCon play, while the Spartans are 9-17 (3-2 SoCon).
Game 1
The Spartans were the first to put a run on the scoreboard with one run in the bottom of the second. With one out, Dominique Madruga doubled to the left field fence to put a runner in scoring position. After Elon pitcher Erin O’Shea got Aubrey Baldwin to strike out, Toni MacReynolds singled to shallow left field to send home Madruga for a 1-0 UNCG lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, UNCG found themselves in good position to score again after singles by Tatiana Alcala and Eileen Horsmon. With one out, E. O’Shea got Katelyn Bedwell to send the ball to right field where Lauren Oldham came in to make a low catch to save a run and record the second out of the inning. Heather Robb then managed to draw a walk to load the bases for Madruga. With a 2-2 count, Madruga bit on E. O’Shea’s next pitch and struck out swinging to keep the deficit at only one run.
The Phoenix had a chance to put some runs on the board in the top of the fifth to take the lead. McKenzie Carter, a pinch hitter for Oldham, reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second after Tomka Watson drew a walk. A two-out single to first by Camille Hill loaded the bases for Elon but Mattson got Carleigh Nester to ground out to end the inning without a run scoring.
UNCG added two more runs later that inning after a two-run home run by Bedwell. Horsmon was hit by a pitch earlier to put one on for Bedwell, who took the first pitch from E. O’Shea over the fence at centerfield to put the Spartans up 3-0.
After a lead-off single by MacReynolds to start the bottom of the sixth, Caitlin O’Shea relieved E. O’Shea for the Phoenix. With two runners on and two outs, Horsman sent a hit up the middle that was stopped by a dive from shortstop Danielle Lafferty. However, the Spartans were able to score two runs to give UNCG the 5-0 edge.
The win went to UNCG’s Cory Mattson (6-8) who pitched the complete-game shutout, giving up three hits and striking out six. E. O’Shea (8-3) took the loss after giving up three runs off six hits. The senior also fanned six batters in her five innings of work.
Game 2
After a scoreless one and a half innings, UNCG scored three runs in the bottom of the second. With one out and the bases loaded, MacReynolds singled to third to score Bedwell, who was walked to start the inning, and give the Spartans their first run of the game. Ashley Reetz then singled to left center two push two more runs across the plate for a 3-0 UNCG lead. C. O’Shea then relieved Elon starter Watson in the circle and recorded the next two outs to end the inning.
Elon got things going in the top of the fourth off several UNCG miscues to tie the game. With one out, Cyra Cottrell reached base on a fielding error by Spartans’ second baseman Madruga. Johanna Spencer then singled and then moved to second after a throwing error by Madruga, while Cottrell made it to third on the play. With runners on second and third and only one out, Lafferty singled down the left field line to score both Cottrell and Spencer. After Lafferty stole second, Morgan Wright singled to left field and advanced to second on the throw with Lafferty moving to third. Lauren Oldham grounded out to the shortstop for the second out of the inning but scored Lafferty on the play to even the score at three-all.
In the top of the sixth, Cottrell started the inning off with a leadoff single up the middle. Spencer then reached on a fielder’s choice that also left Cottrell safe at second. UNCG head coach Jennifer Herzig then made a pitching change, putting in Mattson for Erica Navarette. After Wright advanced the runners to second and third, Oldham tripled to left field to score two runs and give the Phoenix its first lead of the day, 5-3.
After walking the first two batters in the bottom of the sixth, Karen Berna replaced C. O’Shea in the circle for the Phoenix. A wild pitch put the runners on second on third before a single to right field by Alex Emeterio to right field scored two runs to tie the game.
Elon answered in the top of the seventh with two runs to take the lead once again. Mattson hit Berna with one out to put the winning run on base for the maroon and gold. E. O’Shea then doubled to right center and advanced Berna to third. With one out, Spencer reached on a fielding error by Madruga that scored both Berna and E. O’Shea and put the Phoenix back on top, 7-5.
With one out and runners and second and third, E. O’Shea took over work in the pitcher’s circle. After walking her first batter, E. O’Shea struck out one and got the last player to ground out to preserve the win for the Phoenix.
The win went to Berna (2-0) who didn’t allow any runs off three hits in 1.1 innings of work. E. O’Shea recorded her second save of the season to help Elon to the 7-5 victory. Mattson (6-9) took the loss after two runs off two hits in two innings pitched.
Eight different players combined for Elon’s eight hits of the game, Oldham recorded three RBI and Lafferty finished with two.
The Phoenix and the Spartans will vie for the series win tomorrow, March 18, at 1 p.m. at UNCG Softball Field.
Chattanooga 6, Northwestern 2
UMass 12, Chattanooga 1
CLEARWATER, FLA. - The Chattanooga Lady Mocs softball team started the day with a 6-2 victory over Northwestern (8-14) before falling on a walk-off single to UMass (10-8), 12-1, on Saturday at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla. Senior second baseman Sara Poteat and freshman third baseman Sarah Beth Roberts led the Lady Mocs with four hits in the doubleheader.
Driving in a team-best five RBI on the day was junior first baseman Kasey Tydingco on two doubles and a triple, while senior catcher Vivian Morimoto plated four including her team-leading ninth round tripper of the season.
Also connecting on a home run was senior shortstop Jessica Traxler against Northwestern, which was her fifth of the season.
In the circle, freshman pitcher Taylor Deason picked up her 11th win of the campaign against Northwestern, tossing a complete-game seven hitter with two strikeouts. Taking the loss against UMass was senior Michelle Fuzzard as she threw four strong innings, but had to come back into the game during the sixth.
The Lady Mocs return to action on Sunday to complete the USF Invite against Illinois at 11:15 a.m.
GAME ONE: CHATTANOOGA 6, NORTHWESTERN 2
Neither team was able to score a run in the first as each squad left two runners on base.
Chattanooga broke the tie in the top of the second as Traxler led off with a home run down the left field line. The hitting continued as freshman outfielder Nicole Osterman singled through the left side to chase the pitcher Amy Letourneau.
In came Sammy Alabanese, she coaxed a groundout out before Osterman took third on a passed ball. A walk drawn by Willis loaded the bases, but the Lady Mocs were unable to break the game open.
After Deason made quick work of the Wildcats in the second, a two-out walk to Traxler started a rally, which was followed by Osterman being plunked by a pitch. Roberts delivered a ground-rule double down the left field line scoring Traxler. The third pitcher of the contest, Meghan Lamberth, came on to retire the side.
The Wildcats answered in the bottom-half with a run of their won as Mari Majam singled to third and stole second base before Bast singled up the middle, 2-1.
Leading off the fourth was Poteat with a single up the middle. Driving a single through the right side was Fuzzard as Poteat moved to third. Scoring the third run of the game for the Lady Mocs was Poteat on a wild pitch.
Another strong start for Chattanooga occurred in the fifth with Traxler doubling to right center on a long at bat. Osterman followed it up with a single to left, which allowed Traxler to take third. Another passed ball enabled Traxler to come across the plate, 4-1.
The Lady Mocs extended the lead to 6-1 in the sixth as Willis drew a walk, then Tydingco tripled and scored on a throwing mistake by the shortstop.
Northwestern mounted a comeback in the seventh with a single through the right side before a fielding miscue put two runners on base. A walk loaded the bases before a second one scored a run with two outs. Deason was able to coax back-to-back fly outs to seal the victory.
The trio in the circle for the Wildcats combined for seven strikeouts. Marisa Bast paced the offense with three hits and a RBI.
GAME TWO: UMASS 12, CHATTANOOGA 11
Chattanooga continued its offensive effort as Poteat singled to the catcher and stole second before Fuzzard singled to shallow right center. Back-to-back doubles by Fuzzard and Morimoto plated three runs in the first for the Lady Mocs.
During the bottom-half, Fuzzard notched a strikeout and Tydingco registered a double play following a single up the middle by Diaz-Patterson.
After both teams were unsuccessful in the second, UMass put a couple of runs on the scoreboard as a walk and two-out single to short put two runners in scoring position. Diaz-Patterson stepped up with a double down the left field line, but would be out on the play at third.
The Lady Mocs add three runs to their lead in the fifth as Poteat singled to third and advanced to second on a throwing error. Willis drove her home with a double down the left field line. A blast by Morimoto to right center extended the lead to 6-2.
In the bottom-half, UMass was able to score four runs on four hits, but two hit batters aided the scoring for the Minutemen as the contest was tied at six.
A swift response was made by Chattanooga as a fielding miscue by the pitcher put Roberts on base with one out. Dutton singled to the shortstop as alert base running put runners on the corners. A RBI-single by Poteat plated the first run, and then Willis singled to right to load the bases.
The bases were cleared with a double to left center by Tydingco, 10-6. She eventually came around to score on a fielding error by the first baseman.
UMass continued to pressure the Lady Mocs in the circle as an infield single started off the sixth before a strikeout provided the first out. A miscue at third put two runners on before a single through the right side filled the bases.
Converting on a single through the right side was Diaz-Patterson to cut the deficit to three, 11-8. Deason induced a groundout for the second out, but a hit batter loaded the bases before Kyllie Magill doubled down the right field line to bring UMass to within one.
As Fuzzard relieved Deason in the circle, back-to-back walks knotted the contest at 11 before a strikeout retired the side.
Following a leadoff single by Roberts to right, UMass went to the bullpen and brought in Sara Plourde, who was able to end the top of the seventh.
The game winning run would be put on first after a long at-bat between Fuzzard and Plourde that saw the UMass player foul off 13 pitches before walking. A single to short put two runners on before a single to center loaded the bases. The game-winning run would be driven in by Bettencourt with a single through the right side.
Earning the win for the Minutemen was Plourde, who improved to 9-6 on the year. Bridget Lemire was the starter and went 6.1 innings with five strikeouts.
The offense for UMass was led by Cyndill Matthey and Diaz-Patterson with four hits each, while Diaz-Patterson drove in four runs.