Western Carolina 4, Elon 3 (9)
Western Carolina 7, Elon 4
CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina softball (18-29, 5-12 Southern Conference) picked up a doubleheader sweep, 4-3 in extra innings and 7-4, over Southern Conference foe Elon (20-16, 8-9 SoCon) Saturday at the Catamount Softball Complex.
Senior centerfielder Erin Foster extended her hitting streak to twelve games, hitting safely in both games against the Phoenix. She also pushed her conference leading homerun tally to 17 with a homerun in each game. Foster's 57 hits ties her for fourth place in the Catamount single-season record book and her 48 RBI ranks her second for RBI in a season. She is also chasing the Catamount single-season homerun record, which is 21, set by Ashley Adams in 2006.
Foster played heroine for Western Carolina in the first game. Tied at three, in the bottom of the ninth, the Catamounts were looking to avoid in the international tiebreaker rule - putting a runner on second to speed up the game.
Heather Chastain walked and Amelia Griffin doubled to right field to get something going for the Catamounts. With first base open, and one out, Jordan Fulton was intentionally walked to load the bases. It was a move that was perplexing to some, as the bases were intentionally loaded with Foster up to bat. The Elon head coach replaced starting pitcher Erin O'Shea, with Kari Pervell to face Foster, who took the first pitch up the middle to score pinch runner Bekah Burkett to win the game.
It was the second time, in the game, Foster had come through with the clutch hit. Trailing 2-1, in the bottom of the seventh, Jordan Fulton singled up the middle, with two outs. Foster strolled to the plate and blasted a two-run homerun over the centerfield wall to tie the game at three and extend the game.
Western Carolina got in the hole early, to Elon, in the first game as Catamount starting pitcher Katie King gave up a run in the first inning to the Phoenix. Carleigh Nester was hit by a pitch and scored on an RBI single by Tomeka Watson.
The Catamounts tied the game, at one, in the bottom of the first. With one out, Fulton singled up the middle and scored on an RBI double by Kelly Braman.
King tossed a solid game going 7.2 innings allowing three runs on 10 hits. She was replaced by Amber Steinhardt in the eighth inning, with the game tied at three. Steinhardt tossed 1.1 innings of shutout softball, allowing just two hits, and picked up the win. Steinhardt improves to 7-6 on the season.
Western Carolina's nine hits were produced by the first four hitters in the WCU line-up. Amelia Griffin and Fulton each had three hits in the game, Foster had two and Braman had one.
Game 2
Western Carolina scored in four of the seven innings, and hit two homeruns, to help the Catamounts take a doubleheader sweep of Elon, winning the second game 7-4.
Elon, just like in the first game, took the early lead, scoring a run in the top of the first. The Phoenix added a single run in the second inning to take an early 2-0 lead.
Western Carolina cut the Phoenix lead to one, 2-1, scoring a run in the bottom of the second. Steinhardt led off the inning with a single to right field. Haley Pace followed with a walk and Makenzi McAteer loaded the bases when she reached first on an error. With two outs, Fulton hit an RBI single to left centerfield, scoring Steinhardt. Pace attempted to go home on the play as well, but was called out at home plate.
The Catamounts took the lead in the bottom of the third. Foster led off the inning with a walk. Foster scored on an RBI double by Steinhardt and Steinhardt scored on an RBI single by Heather Chastian.
Elon fought back and took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth. With runners on first and second, the Phoenix's Ali Ford was struck out by Catamount pitcher Jordan Garrrett. However, the ball got past catcher Heather Chastain. Elon scored two runs on the passed ball.
Western Carolina took the lead for good, in the game, with one swing of Foster's bat in the bottom of the fourth. Griffin led off the inning with a walk, and with one out, Foster hit a laser shot over the left field wall to give WCU a 5-4 lead.
Braman iced the game for the Catamounts in the bottom of the sixth. Fulton led off the inning with a single and Braman homered to center field.
Garrett almost logged in a complete game but was taken out after 6.1 innings. A Catamount error and a walk given to Camille Hill made things interesting for the Catamounts. Steinhardt replaced Garrett with one out and runners at first and second. Steinhardt got the lead runner when she forced a ground out and threw out the runner at third. Watson singled to load the bases, but Steinhardt got out of the inning, when she forced an out at third.
Garrett took the win, improving to 7-15 on the season allowing four runs, only one earned, and had eight strikeouts. Steinhardt allowed just one hit and picked up her fourth save of the season.
Western Carolina will look for its first Southern Conference series sweep of the season on Sunday. The Catamounts host Elon at 1 p.m. at the Catamount softball Complex.
Chattanooga 9, Samford 0 (5)
Chattanooga 14, Samford 0 (5)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Chattanooga Lady Mocs softball team flexed its offensive muscles at Samford with 26 hits in two five-inning wins, 9-0 and 14-0, Saturday afternoon at Bulldog Field. The pitching was just as impressive as senior Michelle Fuzzard and freshman Taylor Deason held the Bulldogs without a run in the doubleheader, allowing just 10 hits.
Chattanooga, with the sweep, improved to 30-14 overall and 13-2 in the Southern Conference, while Samford would go to 11-33 and 4-13 in the league.
Powering the offense in game one was Fuzzard, who went 4-for-4 with a three-run home run and four RBI. Freshman third baseman Sarah Beth Roberts went perfect with two hits, a walk and three RBI.
After scoring two runners in game one, junior first baseman Kasey Tydingco connected on a three-run homer in the first of the second contest. Driving in an additional three runs was senior shortstop Jessica Traxler, which included a two-run round tripper. Senior catcher Vivian Morimoto stroked her team-leading 12th home run of the season.
Going a perfect 3-for-3 was junior shortstop Ninjja Suetsugu and sophomore outfielder Layne Rainey.
At the top of the order, freshman outfielder Cheyenne Willis and sophomore outfielder Stephanie Rieck combined for five hits, seven runs scored and two RBI in the twinbill.
Deason earned the start in game one and fanned five in 4.1 innings before Fuzzard closed the door against the Bulldogs with back-to-back strikeouts with the bases loaded. Fuzzard registered her eighth-career shutout and second this season as she allowed just three hits and fanned two batters.
Samford was led by Misha Aldridge and Shelby Scott as each tallied multi-hit games during the two contests. Nicole Bobrowski fell to 1-5 on the season in game one as she recorded one strikeout, while Harmon went to 3-7 following the game two defeat.
The final of the series between Chattanooga and Samford is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. Fans can follow all the action with live stats and free audio through links on the softball schedule page.
GAME ONE: CHATTANOOGA 9, SAMFORD 0
Willis led off the game with a double to left before Rieck singled up the middle. Driving both runs home was Fuzzard as she connected on her ninth homer of the season, 3-0. Singles would be notched by Morimoto and Traxler before the side was retired.
In the bottom-half, Samford notched two hits before Deason settled down with a groundout and strikeout.
The second started off with Willis reaching on an error and Rieck singling up the middle. A single by Fuzzard down the left field line loaded the bases. A one-out walk drawn by Tydingco extended the lead to 4-0. Roberts doubled to the right center gap to plate two runners, 6-0.
For the third time in the game, Willis began the frame by reaching base via an error this time. Knocking her home was Fuzzard with a double down the left field line. A gapper hit by Tydingco through the left side reached the fence to score the runner. Back-to-back singles by Traxler and Roberts increased the Chattanooga lead to 9-0.
Samford would load the bases in the third with two singles from Julianne Surane and Alex Adams and a hit by pitch with one out. Deason was able to get the next batter swinging before a grounder ended the threat.
After the Lady Mocs went quietly in the fifth, a walk and hit by pitch put two runners on with one out and Abby Adams singled through the right side chasing Deason. Fuzzard entered the circle and notched two strikeouts to end the game, securing the run-rule win for the Lady Mocs.
GAME TWO: CHATTANOOGA 14, SAMFORD 0
After Rieck was walked, Morimoto was plunked by a pitch. Tydingco ensure the Lady Mocs would once again have an early three-run cushion with a blast to right. It was the ninth of the season for the Fairfield, Calif., native.
In the second, Suetsugu began the frame with a double to right center, and Rainey singled down the left field line. A double to right center by Willis drove in both runners, but she would be out on the play at third, 5-0.
For the second time in three games, Morimoto led off the third inning with a home run, her 12th of the season, that wrapped around the left field foul pole. Following a walk to Tydingco, Traxler hit a homer to straight-away center field. The Chino Hills, Calif., native trotted around the bases for the eighth time this season.
Suetsugu continued the inning with a single to left and took second on a wild pitch. She moved to third on a single up the middle by Rainey before scoring on a passed ball, 9-0.
In the bottom-half, Samford tallied singles by Scott and C Seay before Fuzzard induced two pop outs to end the frame. The first out of the inning was a diving catch by sophomore catcher Natalie Powers in foul territory.
Starting off the fourth, Rieck singled down the left field line and Fuzzard walked. A single to left center by Tydingco loaded the bases. The next three batters, Traxler, Roberts and Suetsugu were able to reach base and drive in runs. Rainey stepped up to the plate and laced a double to right center as two more runner scored, extending the lead to 14-0.
Recieving her first collegiate at bat was freshman Haylee Blalock in a pinch hitting role, but she would be robbed of a hit by the second baseman on a liner.
The Lady Mocs would complete the victory in the fifth as Fuzzard recorded her second strikeout.
Georgia Southern 7, Appalachian State 2
Georgia Southern 2, Appalachian State 0
BOONE, N.C. - Georgia Southern Softball earned a pair of victories over Appalachian State on the field as well as a win over the weather in getting both games completed on Saturday afternoon. Lexi Allen hit her first career home run in the opener as the Eagles took a 7-2 win. In game two, Allie Miles was impressive for the Eagles as GSU held on for the 2-0 win. The second game was marred by a pair of rain delays that stopped play for just over an hour.
With the doubleheader sweep, Georgia Southern is 31-15 overall and 16-1 in SoCon play. Appalachian falls to 17-21 overall and 7-11 in the league.
-GAME ONE-
The Eagles got on the board early with a two-run first inning. A pair of walks opened the game, followed by a throwing error on Marie Fogle's sacrifice bunt attempt. A run scored on the play. A second run came home on Shelby Morrill's ground out to first base.
In the second inning, Allen recorded her first career home run with a moon shot down the line in left. The two-run job scored Tabby Douberley from first base after her walk the previous at bat.
Appalachian State's Michelle Lighton got the Mountaineers on the board with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the second, hitting a home run to straight-away centerfield. Lighton's home run made the score 4-1. The Mountaineers cut the lead to 4-2 two innings later with a leadoff home run by Allie Cashion.
Georgia Southern entered the fifth inning with just one hit in the game, Allen's home run. The Eagles changed that with three runs off five hits in the inning to go up by a 7-2 margin.
Sarah Purvis worked the first six innings allowing two runs off four hits. She picked up her 16th victory of the season. She struck out two batters, raising her total to 181 Marla Thompson came in out of the bullpen to finish off the game and nail down the Georgia Southern victory, their 30th this season.
-GAME TWO-
With rain making its way up the valley and claps of thunder in the distance, Georgia Southern opened game two with a pair of runs, the second coming on Mackenzie Williams' RBI single up the middle. With one out and the bases loaded the game went into a lightning delay which lasted 43 minutes. On the restart, the Mountaineers turned a double play to end the inning with two stranded.
In the bottom of the second the rain returned starting as a light drizzle until the game was halted again with one out in the top of the third inning and a runner on second. The delay was just 16 minute and Morrill earned a walk to put runners on first and second on the re-start. The Eagles, however, could not add to their lead as the Mountaineers got out of the jam.
Miles tossed one of her best outings of the season, going five and a third innings allowing just three hits. She left the game with runners on second and third with her shutout still intact, making way for Brooke Red. Red got a flyout for the second out of the inning. A ground ball to shortstop ended the game and gave Red her first career save. Miles earned the win to go to 4-5.
Sunday's series finale is set for a 1 p.m. start from Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium in Boone.
UNCG 5, College of Charleston 2
College of Charleston 2, UNCG 0
MT. PLEASANT, N.C. - UNCG's Eileen Horsmon and Katelyn Bedwell hit back-to-back home runs to lead the Spartans to a 5-2 win over College of Charleston in game one, but the Cougars took a 2-0 win in game two to salvage a split of a Southern Conference doubleheader at the CofC Athletic Complex at Patriots Point on Saturday.
With the Spartans (18-29, 7-10 SoCon) trailing 2-0 entering the sixth inning, Aubrey Baldwin and Alex Emeterio led off with consecutive singles before Horsmon hit her 10th homer of the season out to left to put UNCG on top. Bedwell followed with her 10th homer, as well, making it a 4-2 spread and knocking CofC starter Stephanie Saylors out of the game.
Heather Robb greeted reliever Jen Rosene with a single then stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. Toni MacReynolds' RBI groundout drove her in for the Spartans' fifth run.
That was all the help UNCG starter Cory Mattson needed. Mattson (12-14) won her second straight decision, allowing just two unearned runs on four hits and four walks, matching her season high with eight strikeouts.
CofC (29-19, 12-8 SoCon) scored both of its runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ashton Jarrett and Carly Corthell led off with consecutive singles and each advanced a base on a UNCG error. Two outs later, Kelsey Hodgson hit a two-run single to put the Cougars on top 2-0.
Horsmon finished 3-for-3 and fell a triple short of the cycle, while Baldwin and Emeterio had two hits each.
Jarrett was 2-for-2 to pace the Cougars.
Saylors, who entered the weekend tied for the league lead in wins, fell to 16-10 on the year. She was charged with four runs on seven hits and a walk in 5-plus innings. She struck out four.
Game two saw the Cougars score twice in the fifth, as well.
Corthell got things going with a bunt single to lead off, and a sacrifice moved her to second. One out later, Hodgson hit an RBI double to get the Cougars on the board. Amanda Lonergan followed with an RBI single to make it a 2-0 lead.
UNCG missed its chance to take the lead in the top half of the frame, leaving the bases loaded. After a leadoff single from Robb and a sacrifice bunt, MacReynolds singled to put runners on the corners. After a popup for the second out, Aisha Figueroa drew a walk to load the bases, but CofC starter Hope Klicker got a foulout to end the threat.
Klicker (12-8) tossed a seven-hit shutout, walking one. Lonergan celebrated her Senior Day by going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Horsmon had two of UNCG's hits to bring her total to five on the day.
Erica Navarette (5-12) pitched well for UNCG in the losing effort, allowing two runs on six hits and four walks, striking out five.
The series concludes Sunday with a 1 p.m. contest.