Rhode Island 10, Elon 2
Elon 6, No.25 Georgia Tech 3
WOODSTOCK, Ga. – The Elon softball team split a pair of games today, March 4, to finish play the Buzz Classic. The Phoenix (11-3) fell to Rhode Island (2-6), 10-2, in its first game of the day, but bounced back to defeat No. 25 Georgia Tech (12-9), 6-3.
Elon 2 – Rhode Island 10
Elon struck first with one run in the bottom of the second off a home run by Danielle Lafferty. With two outs, Lafferty sent her second home run of the season over the fence to put the Phoenix up 1-0.
The Rams answered immediately with four runs in the third. Meg Kelly drew a one-out walk and advanced to second off a single by Brittany Julich. A single by Kelly Coker scored Kelly and left runners on the corners for URI. One out and batter later, Jenna Newborn singled to bring home Julich and Coker for the Rams to take a 3-1 advantage. Newborn scored later off a single by Prendergast that put URI up by three runs. Tomeka Watson relieved Caitlin O’Shea after the fourth run and recorded the final out of the inning.
After a leadoff single by Lauren Oldham to start the bottom of the third, Sam Bedore relieved Erika Szymanski in the circle for the Rams. A ground out by Hill advanced Oldham to second before a double to left field by Watson pushed her across the plate to cut the deficit to two, 4-2.
Rhode Island added another run to the board in the fourth by Kelly. She singled to start the inning, stole second and then advanced to third on an error by Elon catcher Hill. A wild pitch then scored the unearned run to make the score 5-2, in favor of the Rams.
A single and walk started the top of the fifth for URI and then caused Elon head coach Kathy Bocock to make another pitching change for the Phoenix, bringing in Kari Pervell. After a bases-loaded single by Kelly to score Allison Hartzell from third, Coker hit a grand slam to clear the bases and put the Rams up by eight, 10-2.
The Phoenix was not able to respond in the bottom of the fifth and dropped just its third game of the season.
The win went to URI’s Bedore (1-2), who pitched three innings in relief, giving up only one hit and striking out four. Elon’s C. O’Shea (2-1) took her first loss of the season after 2.2 innings of work and four runs.
Four Elon players went 1-for-2 on offense, while it was Watson and Lafferty that drove in the two maroon and gold runs in the game.
Elon 6 – No. 25 Georgia Tech 3
Elon put runs on the board immediately with two in the top of the first. Hill drew a leadoff walk and then advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Watson was walked and stole second to put runners on second and third with no outs. One batter later, a ground out by Erin O’Shea scored Hill and put Watson on third. An error by GT first baseman Karly Fullman allowed Cyra Cottrell to reach safely and scored Watson to put the maroon and gold up 2-0.
Kaitlyn Piazzolla drew Elon’s second leadoff walk of the game in the second and then scored off a double to right field by Johanna Spencer to put the Phoenix up 3-0. Spencer later advanced to third on a passed ball and was brought home off a single to left field by Hill.
With Elon up 4-0, GT responded in the bottom of the second with three runs. Danielle Dike drew a walk and Chelsie Thomas singled to second to put two runners on for the Yellow Jackets. Ashley Thomas took a 1-1 pitch over the right-field fence for a three-run homer to cut the Elon lead to one, 4-3.
After two outs in the top of the third, Cottrell hit her third home run of the season to centerfield to put the maroon and gold up 5-3.
Elon added another run to go up 6-3 in the top of the fourth when Carleigh Nester drew a walk with the bases loaded. Charyssa Parent scored the run, a pinch runner for Sarah Little who was walked and advanced to second on a single by Hill. Watson then drew a two-out walk and left the bases loaded for Nester.
E. O’Shea (6-1) pitched the complete game in the win giving up three runs off four hits and striking out nine. The loss went to Kylie Kleimschmidt who went four innings and gave up six runs, four unearned, off four hits.
All of six of Elon’s runs were scored by different players. Hill went 3-for-2 with one run and one RBI, while Cottrell went 2-for-4.
Elon will open Southern Conference play on Saturday, March 10, with a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Furman at East Field.
No.15 Arizona 5, College of Charleston 0
TUCSON, Ariz. - The College of Charleston softball team suffered a 5-0 loss to No. 15 Arizona in front of 2,555 fans at Hillenbrand Stadium in the final game of a three-game weekend set on Sunday afternoon.
Kristy Giragosian continued to get productive at bats for the Cougars and was 1-for-3 on the day at the plate and made a few nice catches and strong throws in right field.
The Arizona bats went to work in the bottom of the first when Chelsea Suitos legged out and infield single and got to third on a throwing error on the play. The Wildcats then drew a walk and executed a double steal for one run and Jessica Spigner singled to score another. After Spigner's pinch runner was caught stealing by catcher Mackenzie Maples, Chelsea Goodacre hit a high fly ball which carried to right center and snuck out of the yard to make it 3-0.
The Cougars appeared to have plated their first run of the series in the second when Giragosian cracked her third hit of the weekend and Maples drew a walk to put the Cougars in a threatening position. Hope Klicker executed the sacrifice bunt to move the runners up and then Allison Pedigo sent a would-be sacrifice fly deep to center which allowed Giragosian to tag and score. Arizona appealed the play, however, and Giragosian was called out for leaving third before the ball was caught and run was taken off the board and the inning ended.
The run would have snapped a 29-inning scoreless streak dating back to Feb. 18 for Wildcat starting pitcher Kenzie Fowler.
The Wildcats stuck another run on the board in the fourth with a two-out single, stolen base and RBI single from Hallie Wilson.
Relieving pitcher Jen Rosene silenced the Wildcats through the middle three innings with the help of sound defense from the Cougars.
The Wildcats were good for one more run in the sixth frame by way of three seeing-eye singles which weren't hit particularly well but found ways to elude the Cougar defense.
The prestigious Arizona faithful packed Hillenbrand Stadium with a combined attendance of 7,550 over the weekend which provided for a great softball environment.
After a late flight home on Monday, the Cougars will have to quickly regroup before hosting NC State in a doubleheader at Patriots Point on Wednesday, March 7 starting at 2 p.m.
UNCG 6, Kennesaw State 5
Winthrop 2, UNCG 0
WOODSTOCK, Ga. – UNCG’s softball team earned a split on Sunday, the final day of the Buzz Classic, picking up a 6-5 win over Kennesaw State and falling to Winthrop 2-0. Freshman pitcher Erica Navarette earned her first career win in the opener.
Against the Owls (10-7), all of the game’s scoring came in the first three innings. The Spartans (5-11) drew first blood in the bottom of the first, quickly striking for two runs. After Aubrey Baldwin drew a one-out walk, Eileen Horsmon hit a triple to right center for the game’s first run. Katelyn Bedwell followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.
KSU responded emphatically, scoring four runs in the top of the second on three hits and a pair of UNCG errors. Carly Van Auken had the big blow, a two-run single, while Jamie Saunders drove in a run with a groundout. Kennesaw State also scored on UNCG’s second error of the inning to take the 4-2 lead.
The Spartans answered in the bottom half of the frame, getting back-to-back RBI singles from Alex Emeterio and Baldwin to knot the game at 4. But KSU wasn’t done, reclaiming the lead the following inning on Bianca Durant’s leadoff double and an RBI single from Kaylee Williams.
Navarette settled in after that, getting a strikeout and two groundouts to escape further damage.
The Spartans put her back in line for the win in the bottom of the third, starting with Bedwell’s leadoff single, which extended her hitting streak to seven games. After a sacrifice and an error, pinch-runner Kiah Ruffin came in on a wild pitch to tie the game at 5. Two batters later, Tatiana Alcala came in on another wild pitch to put UNCG ahead to stay.
Navarette (1-5) allowed just two hits and five base-runners the rest of the way to nail down her first win. All told, she allowed five runs, only two of which were earned, on seven hits and four walks in the complete game. She struck out five.
Jessica Cross worked 3 2/3 innings out of the bullpen for the Owls, retiring 10 straight after Alcala came in with the go-ahead run. Monica Vickery (0-1) took the loss for KSU, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits and a walk in 2 1/3 innings.
Six different players accounted for UNCG’s six hits. Durant finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored to pace the Owls.
The Spartans couldn’t find their offense against Winthrop (8-9), as the Eagles’ Natalie Becker (3-5) threw a one-hitter. Alcala broke up Becker’s no-hit bid with a single up the middle to lead off the fifth inning.
UNCG pitcher Cory Mattson was nearly as good to that point, allowing just three hits in the first four innings. After allowing a leadoff single in the bottom of the first, Mattson retired the next 10 batters in order before surrendering a solo home run to Kathryn Eberlin with two outs in the fourth.
After Alcala broke up the no-no in the top of the fifth, Winthrop doubled its advantage in the bottom half. Alex White reached on an infield single to lead off the inning, and Kelly Blea’s single knocked her in to make it 2-0.
UNCG had just three base-runners in the contest. Aubrey Baldwin reached on an error in the top of the first inning, and Toni MacReynolds drew a leadoff walk in the third. Alcala ended up on third after a sacrifice and a grounder in the fifth, but Becker got a strikeout to keep the shutout intact. She retired the final nine batters of the game in order.
Mattson (3-4) took the loss despite a solid outing in which she surrendered just two runs on just five hits and a walk. She struck out five.
Becker struck out six and walked one.
UNCG returns to action Thursday for a doubleheader at coach Jennifer Herzig’s alma mater, Charlotte. Game one is slated to begin at 4 p.m.
Troy 6, Chattanooga 0
OXFORD, Miss. - The Chattanooga softball team fell in the championship at the Ole Miss Red and Blue Classic in Oxford, Miss., to Troy, 6-0, on Sunday afternoon. The Lady Mocs were unable to avenge a 9-8 loss in eight innings to the Trojans from Saturday, where Chattanooga scored the first eight runs.
Seniors pitcher Michelle Fuzzard, catcher Vivian Morimoto and shortstop Jessica Traxler each tallied a hit during the contest.
Earning the start in the circle was Fuzzard, who struck out three in four innings of work before freshman Taylor Deason came in and finished the contest.
The Lady Mocs fell behind early, 2-0, in the first to Troy as the Chattanooga defense committed three errors in the opening frame, which set the stage for the rest of the game.
In the second, back-to-back one-out singles by Morimoto and Traxler seemed to start the Lady Mocs offense, but the team was unable to cut into the Trojan lead.
Troy added two runs in the second as Sarah Harris doubled to right center and Michelle Hewitt connected on a two-run homer to right, 4-0.
Tacking on insurance runs were the Trojans, who struck for one run in the third and fourth. Chattanooga stranded a runner in both those frames, including one at third base in the fifth.
During the sixth, Fuzzard single up the middle with one out, which was followed by a Tydingco single through the right side. Both runners would be left on increase the total for the game to six.
Troy was led by the fantastic pitching of Ashley Rainey, who threw a complete-game four hitter and struck out two. The offense was fueled by the three-RBI performance by Hewitt and mulit-hit game from Jaycee Affelt.
The Lady Mocs host their first mid-week game of the season on Wednesday when SIU-Edwardsville is welcomed to Frost Stadium for a single contest at 4:30 p.m. Fans can follow the action with live stats or subscription-based video through MocsVision with audio commentary from the Voice of Lady Mocs Softball, Tyler Brown.
Western Carolina 5, Southeastern Louisiana 4
Western Carolina 7, Alabama State 6
WOODSTOCK, Ga. – Western Carolina softball (9-9) prevailed in two tight games, in the final day of the Buzz Classic, defeating Southeastern Louisiana 5-4 and nipping Alabama State 7-6 in eight innings.
Erin Foster hit a walk-off single, in the eighth inning, to close out the Buzz Classic for the Catamounts with a win over Alabama State. In the second game of the day, Western Carolina found itself going to extra innings, as the game ended regulation tied at six.
Enacting the international softball rules, of putting a runner on second base, Western Carolina benefitted from this ruling by batting last. Alabama State had its runner on second gunned down at home, and pitcher Amber Steinhardt forced a pair of groundouts to end Alabama State’s threat.
Western Carolina didn’t waste its chances in the extra frame of the game. Sophomore Amelia Griffin was placed on second and Foster sliced a shot to right field and Griffin motored home for the win.
The Catamounts looked to have the game against Alabama State well in hand building up a 6-0 lead over the course of the first three innings. Western Carolina scored two runs in the first inning and for in the third.
In the first inning, with one out, Griffin drew a walk and Foster singled for runners at first and second. A single by Shemekia Scotton loaded the bases with Catamounts. Kelly Braman hit an RBI single scoring Griffin. After Foster was called out at home, and the bases were still loaded, Makenzi McAteer walked, which allowed Scotton to score.
Western Carolina tacked on four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. The inning opened with back-to-back singles by Foster and Scotton. Braman got on base off a fielder’s choice which got Foster called out at third, the play also allowed Scotton to move to third. Haley Pace hit an RBI single scoring Scotton and Braman scored on an RBI double by McAteer. The remaining runs were courtesy of an RBI single by Megan Crowe and an RBI double by Jordan Fulton.
Alabama State battled back with three runs in the fifth and tying the game with three runs in the top of the seventh inning.
Steinhardt tossed eight innings allowing four runs on four hits and took the win, improving to 2-1. In the top of the seventh, Steinhardt was replaced by Bekah Burkett, but after she gave up two runs on two hits, Steinhardt came back into the game.
Fulton, Foster and Scotton each had three hits in the game. Scotton also scored two runs.
In the opening game of the day, Western Carolina found itself down early, 1-0, as the Lions scored a run in the top of the first. Michelle Duhe got on base off a Catamount error and scored on an RBI single by Kelsey Nichols.
In the bottom of the second, Western Carolina got on the board with a pair of runs. With one out, Braman drew a walk and motored to second on a wild pitch. Pace laced a single past the second baseman moving Braman to third. The second wild pitch by SELU moved Pace to second and a walk by Robyn Burnette loaded the bases. The third wild pitch of the inning scored Braman, then back-to-back walks by Heather Chastain and Fulton allowed Pace to score and the Catamounts to take the lead. The walk Fulton drew not only scored pace, but earned her an RBI.
Western Carolina scattered three more runs over the course of the next four innings built the Catamounts lead to 5-1. Pace’s second single of the game, set up the third run of the game, as she scored on an RBI single by Burnette. In the fourth inning, Fulton hit a one-out single and then scored off an RBI double by Foster. The Catamounts scored its final run f the game in the sixth inning, proving to be the insurance run, when Foster singled to right field, scoring Fulton.
Southeastern Louisiana attempted a come-back in the top of the seventh inning scoring three runs in the top of the seventh inning. Relief pitcher Jordan Garrett got into a bit of a jam in the seventh inning, giving up three runs on three hits and the Lions also benefitted from one WCU error. Steinhardt came into the game with one out, forcing a pair of ground outs to end the game, and earn a save in the game.
Katie King got the start in the game, and had a productive outing allowing just one run on three hits. King earned the win and improves to 2-3 on the season.
Foster and Pace had two hits in the game. Foster also had two RBI in the contest.
Western Carolina returns to action on Tuesday playing a doubleheader at Georgia Tech. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. and a LIVE BLOG will be available for the game.
Furman 6, Jacksonville State 5
Woodstock, Ga. – Freshman Natalie Clemmons went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI to help Furman down Jacksonville State, 6-5, and earn a split on Sunday in the Buzz Classic at the Twin Creeks Softball Complex in Woodstock, Ga. The Paladins dropped a 2-0 decision to Georgia State in their first game of the day.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third against the Gamecocks, Furman ended a 16-inning scoreless streak by plating two runs. Clemmons reached on an error and moved to second when Nikki Legg’s sacrifice attempt was thrown wide of first base. Taylor Jenkins gave Furman a 2-1 lead with a two-run single to center field to score Clemmons and Legg.
Jacksonville State (3-12) regained the lead in the top of the fourth. Jessica Guy drew a leadoff walk and Savannah Sloan followed with a single. After a sacrifice bunt put both runners in scoring position, Guy and Sloan scored when Jenkins mishandled a grounder up the middle.
In the bottom of the inning, Alex Bimonte lined a one-out single to right field and scored from first on Clemmons’ RBI double into the right-center field gap to knot the game at 3-3. Jacksonville State responded in the top of the sixth and looked to have control of the game when the Gamecocks turned doubles from Hayden Crawford and Kristin Graham and a Furman error into two runs.
The Paladins, however, answered in the bottom of the inning with an offensive outburst of its own. Bimonte started the rally taking a pitch in the leg and pinch runner Alexis Galinski moved into scoring position on a Hannah Pace sacrifice. Clemmons bounced a single through the right side to score Galinski and tied the game when she crossed the plate on Legg’s RBI double into the gap. With runners on the corners and two out, Jacksonville State reliever appeared to have gotten out of the frame when Lauren Collier hit a sharp ground ball to second base, but Tyris Branford misplayed the ball allowing Legg to score the go-ahead run.
In the seventh, freshman Lakyn Shull worked around a two-out error and a single to strand a pair of runners and give Furman the 6-5 victory. Shull (4-1) scattered five hits and allowed two unearned runs in 3.1 innings in the circle. She fanned one batter without issuing a walk.
Clemmons scored two runs and drove in two while Jenkins went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI. Legg scored two runs for the Paladins.
Gamecock starter Savanna Hennings (2-5) suffered the loss allowing six runs, three earned, on six hits in 5.1 innings. Sara Borders, Shelby Holley and Crawford each collected two hits apiece for Jacksonville State.
In the Paladins’ first game of the day, Georgia State’s Alana Thomas tossed a four-hit, complete-game shutout to lift the Panthers to a 2-0 victory.
Thomas, who worked out of first-inning trouble by stranding two runners, walked just one batter while striking out three to improve to 5-1 on the season.
The Panthers got on the board in the first when leadoff hitter Brenna Morrissey singled, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on Jessica Clifton’s RBI single up the middle. Georgia State doubled the lead in the bottom of the third when Clifton, who reached on her second single of the day, raced home on a passed ball.
Clifton went 2-for-3 with an RBI, run scored and stolen base. Ashley Christy added two hits and a stolen base for the Panthers (16-5).
Hannah Bradley (1-4) took the loss for Furman despite allowing only two unearned runs on five hits in three innings of work. Freshmen Shelby Parker and Lakyn Shull tossed three innings of one-hit relief.
Jessie Homesley tallied two hits for the Paladins in the loss.
Furman, 7-9 on the season after posting a 3-2 record at the Buzz Classic, return to action on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. when it travels to Athens, Ga., to battle nationally-ranked Georgia.
Appalachian State 11, NC Central 0
USC Upstate 7, Appalachian State 2
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Appalachian State University softball splits its final two games of the Subway Spartan Classic with a 11-0 victory over N.C. Central and a 7-2 setback to host USC Upstate on Sunday at Cyrill Stadium.
The Mountaineers have outscored the Eagles 38-3 and out hit NCCU 55-20 in their four-game sweep.
Senior Megan Rembielak led off the contest with a single up the middle and took second base for her ninth stolen base of the season. Rembielak scored on a fielder's choice by junior Meghan Smith.
Rembielak started the third inning with a single to third and nabbed her second stolen base of the game. Freshman Sarah Warnock singled through the right side to score Rembielak. ASU extended its lead to 3-0 when Caroline Rogers recorded a RBI single to score Warnock.
The Mountaineers added two more runs in the six on a sacrifice fly by Rembielak and a two-out RBI double by Allie Cashion.
The Black and Gold put the game away with a six run seventh inning. Senior Lindsay Whitlock started the big inning with a one-out walk. Warnock tallied the first two-runs of the inning on with a single to left to score Whitlock and Dani Heichen. Smith added to more when she lined one to right field to score Warnock and Rembielak. Cashion blasted her second home run in two days to give ASU an 11-0 advantage.
Caroline Williams pitched another gem against the Eagles as she struck out four and scattered seven hits to keep NCCU scoreless.
USC Upstate scored in the final four innings to take a 4-1 all-time series lead.
In the second inning, Rogers scored the first run of the game on a solo homer to left field to give ASU an early 1-0 lead.
USC Upstate tied the game up in the bottom of the third on a Shellie Robinson single up the middle to score Lindsay Kelley.
The Spartans tagged on another run in the fourth to take a 2-1 lead on a Kendall Settlemyre flare to right field. Upstate recorded its third-straight run in the fifth frame (3-1) on a double steal by Cheyenne Griffin and Shellie Robinson to score.
The Mountaineers put the game back to a one-run game (3-2) on a RBI single by Cashion.
The Spartans poured on four runs in the sixth to close out the game. Settlemyre started the frame with a double to right center and scored on a RBI single from Hayley Reinfeld. Ericka Harris crushed two-run home run to right center to give Upstate a 6-2 lead. Robinson capped of the inning with a rocket solo home run (7-2).
ASU's Caitlin Wainright took her fourth loss on the year (4-4) in the 5.1 innings of work and gave up six runs (five earned), eight hits and four free bases.
Upstates' Hannah Alexander remained perfect on the season (11-0) in her five strikeouts, two runs and six hits performance.
Appalachian opens the home slate and conference schedule on Saturday against UNCG. ASU opens the three-game series at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Syswassink/Lloyd Family Stadium.