Wisconsin 6, Georgia Southern 4

KISSIMMEE, FLA. – Georgia Southern Softball closed the 2013 Citrus Classic with a 6-4 loss to Wisconsin at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. A three-run first inning gave GSU an early lead, but runs in the sixth inning gave the lead back to the Badgers. Next weekend, Georgia Southern is back at the friendly confines for the 2013 Eagle Classic

Wisconsin (9-1) got an early run in the top of the first, but Georgia Southern (7-7) would respond with three in the bottom of the frame. A two-run double by Tabby Doublerley gave the Eagles their first lead of the weekend versus Wisconsin. Douberley scored later in the inning off an Andrea Tarashuk single to left as GSU took a 3-1 lead through one inning of play.

The Badgers cut the lead to one run in the second after putting runners on second and third with no outs to start the inning. That would be all the scoring until the Badgers added three runs in the sixth inning. With the score tied 3-3, Mary Massei plated two more runs with a double to give the Badgers a 5-3 advantage.

The Eagles got the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, but were unable to cut into Wisconsin’s 5-3 lead. Wisconsin tacked on another run in the top of the seventh to lead 6-3 going into Georgia Southern’s final trip to the plate.

Alexa Lewis got the bottom of the seventh started right with a solo home run to cut the lead to 6-4. It was the first four-bagger for Lewis this season and the first home run allowed this season by Wisconsin. A Kourtny Thomas single brought the tying run to the plate with one out. Two-straight outs, however, would end the game and give the Badgers a 6-4 win.

Sarah Purvis allowed five runs, four earned off seven Wisconsin hits in five and two-thirds innings of work. She struck out six batters on the day, but was replaced by Brooke Red in the sixth. Red worked the final inning and a third allowing one run off three hits while striking out three batters.

Next weekend Georgia Southern is at home for the 2013 Eagle Classic from Eagle Field. Kennesaw State, Florida International, Alabama State and South Carolina will be in town for the tournament which begins on Friday morning at 11:30 a.m. GSU faces Alabama State in the opener for the Eagles on Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Wichita State 4, Samford 1

Samford 5, Belmont 4

MEMPHIS, Tenn. ---- Samford held a slim 1-0 lead through most of Sunday’s game against Wichita State, but the Shockers scored four runs in the final two innings to defeat the Bulldogs, 4-1.

Samford (5-6) could only convert on one of its five hits, as Kayla Shaffer drove in the Bulldogs’ only run in the first inning.  Mollie Hanson (4-5) took the loss in the circle, going the full 7.0 innings while allowing four earned runs and six hits while striking out nine.  The four earned runs are the most she has allowed in any outing so far this season and the sixth-inning home run is the first long ball scored against her so far this season.

The Wichita State (5-8) comeback was led by Megan McCracken, who’s only hit in the game was the big three-run home run.  Melanie Jaegers was the only player in the game to earn more than one hit, going 2-4, while Sloan Anderson (4-2) earned the complete-game win in the circle.

In the bottom of the first inning, Megan Dowdy led off with a double to the right-field gap.  With two outs, Shaffer drove an RBI double to opposite field, bringing Dowdy home to put the Bulldogs up 1-0 early.

Hanson shut down the Shockers’ offense until the top of the sixth, when she hit the leadoff batter, Brittany Fortner, with a pitch and Jaegers followed that up with a single to left field to put two on with nobody out.  Ali Vandever grounded out to move both runners into scoring position and McCracken brought everybody home with a big three-run homer to put the Shockers up 3-1.  Hanson would prevent them from widening the gap but Wichita State now held the lead, 3-1, after 5 1/2 innings.

The Shockers padded their lead in the top of the seventh as Fortner hit a two-out RBI single down the left-field line to score the runner from second, moving them up 4-1.  The lead would hold in the bottom-half of the inning as the Bulldogs were shut down in order with Wichita State handing Samford the 4-1 defeat.

Samford concludes play at the Blues City Classic later this afternoon as they face Belmont (6-4) at 2:30 p.m. CT.  The Bruins will play Nicholls State at 11 a.m. CT before playing Samford.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. ---- Samford faced an early 4-0 deficit to Belmont Sunday but the Bulldog offense came alive late as they scored five unanswered runs to win the game, 5-4, in a bit of an unconventional walkoff fashion.

Samford (6-6) earns its sixth win of the season, its third of the weekend.  Alex Adams was the Bulldogs’ leading hitter Sunday with a stellar 3-4 performance out of the three-hole with a run scored and an RBI.  Misha Aldridge (2-0) got the win in the circle, pitching 3.0 shutout relief innings and also scored the game-tying run with a huge three-run homer in the fifth, Samford’s first home run of the season.

Belmont (6-6) played an otherwise solid game, but the Bulldog offense proved too potent for starter Carolyn Snodgress (2-1) late in the game as she ended allowing five runs, four earned, off nine hits and two walks.

In the top of the second inning, the Belmont leadoff batter was walked and the second batter laced a double into the left-field gap, putting two in scoring position with nobody out.  Belmont’s Kimberly Johnson fired the game’s opening shot, knocking an RBI single down the right-field line to score one and put runners at the corners with nobody out.  The next batter was hit by a pitch to load the bases and then Jessica Wilson hit a two-run single into center field to put the Bruins up 3-0 with two on and still nobody out.  After a strikeout, Kat Hollingsworth hit a single to load the bases yet again, but an infield popup held everyone in place for the second out and a strikeout left them stranded as the Bullodgs got out of the bases-loaded jam but now faced a 3-0 deficit heading into the bottom of the second.

The Bulldogs looked to score their first run of the game in the bottom of the second, as Hannah Taylor and Abby Adams recorded back-to-back hits with two outs to bring the potential game-tying run to the plate.  A flyout to right field stranded the pair and kept Samford scoreless as they still trailed 3-0.

Belmont’s Becca Gift was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the third and Heather Turner looked to bring her home, launching a triple into the left-field gap.  Gift was tagged out at home however as Arica Dykes threw the ball to the cutoff Abby Adams at short who launched it back home to get the out.  A strikeout and groundout would keep Turner at third base as the Bulldogs escaped the half-inning unscathed.

A pair of singles in the bottom of the fourth inning put two runners on with one away for the Bulldogs.  Rachel Bickert and Caroline Seay, both pinch-running, moved into scoring position off a wild pitch but a popup and a groundout would leave them stranded as the Bulldogs could not chip away at the three-run deficit.

In the top of the fifth, Belmont’s Mia Vierra led off the inning with a double and Gift followed that up with a bunt as Vierra came home off the throw and Gift advanced to second with the score now 4-0.  That ended the day for Scott in the circle as Aldridge came in relief for the Bulldogs.  Three groundouts ended the half-inning with the Bruins only able to extend their lead by one.

Caroline Wilder led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a double and with two outs, Callie Brister showed great patience at the plate by drawing a walk after taking the at-bat to a full count.  Alex Adams prevented the shutout with an RBI single into center field, scoring Wilder from second and putting two runners on with two away.  On a 0-2 count, Aldridge tied the game with one big swing of the bat by blasting a three-run homer to straightaway center field.  A walk and a groundout would end the inning as the ballgame was now tied, 4-4, heading into the sixth.

In the bottom of the seventh, Brister and Alex Adams led off the inning with back-to-back singles, putting the potential winning run in scoring position right away.  In a big situation, Belmont turned to freshman Taylor Moon to pitch them out of the jam.  After an infield fly, Caitlin Bice reached on a fielding error as the bases were now loaded with only one away.  Taylor reached on a fielder’s choice and Brister was out on the force at home, as the Bulldogs were down to their last out in regulation with the bases loaded.  On a 1-0 count, Abby Adams was hit by a pitch which, with the bases loaded, scored the game-winning run to give the Bulldogs the 5-4 walkoff win off the rare hit-by-pitch RBI.

Next up, Samford will head to Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Wednesday, Feb. 27 to take on the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide (16-0) at 6 p.m. CT.

Sacred Heart 2, Western Carolina 0

Robert Morris 9, Western Carolina 7

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Western Carolina softball (5-6) dropped a pair of games in the only day of action at the 49er Invitational Sunday, falling to Sacred Heart 2-0 and 9-7 to Robert Morris.

After games on Friday and Saturday were cancelled due to heavy rains, Western Carolina finally squeezed in a pair of games at the tournament hosted by Charlotte.

In the first game of the day, the Catamounts were shutout for the third time this season with the 2-0 loss to Sacred Heart. Western Carolina had six hits in the contest, to Sacred Hearts five, and also committed one error.

Sophomore pitcher Jordan Garrett got the start and took the loss in the contest. She struck out seven, allowing two runs and five hits. Garrett now has 63 strikeouts this season averaging 1.2 strikeouts per inning.

Sacred Heart scored a run in the first inning and then got a homerun by Nicole Sidor in the fifth inning. Western Carolina had its chances with runners in scoring position in four of the seven innings played.

The Catamounts best scoring chance came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Senior Amber Steinhardt led off with a single to right field and moved to second on a single by fellow senior Haley Pace. A passed ball advanced Steinhardt to third and Pace to second with no outs. A line out to the pitcher, by Taylor Sigmon and back-to-back strikeouts by Kayla Myers and Karley Harkey ended the inning and Catamount threat.

Freshman Taylor Sigmon went 2-of-3 in the game.

Western Carolina collected a bevy of hits in the contest against Robert Morris and it unfolded as a game of who would score last. In this instance, it was the Colonials.

The Catamounts were up 7-6 after their half of the sixth inning when Robert Morris matched Western Carolina’s three runs to take the 9-7 lead. The Catamounts benefitted from the return of senior Shemekia Scotton, who missed two games due to an injury, as she pinch hit in the and knocked a two RBI single to give the Catamounts the then 7-6 lead.

Freshman pitcher Mallory Broome got the start against Robert Morris held the Colonial’s scoreless and hitless for three innings.

In the top of the fourth inning, Western Carolina scored the first runs of the game posting three runs. Chandler Terripan was hit by a pitch and Steinhardt singled placing runners on first and second. Sophomore catcher Heather Chastain blasted a two RBI double plating Terrapin and Steinhardt. Chastain scored off an RBI single by Amelia Griffin who ended the game 4-for-5. Chastain had three hits in the contest.

Robert Morris scored a run in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Catamount lead to 3-1. Western Carolina tacked on a run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Steinhardt that scored Jordan Fulton.

In the bottom of the fifth, Robert Morris exploded for five runs including a four-run homerun by Haileigh Stocks. The homerun was credited to Garrett who came into the game in relief of Broome. It was the second homerun of the season given up by Garrett. 

Broome went 4.1 innings allowing three runs, two hits and struck out five. Garrett tossed the remainder of the game and took the loss, falling to 3-5 on the season.

Western Carolina had a season-high 15 hits in the game and Robert Morris had six. 

Western Carolina will play in its final tournament of the regular season March 1-3 at a tournament hosted by Coastal Carolina.

UNCG 9, Quinnipiac 1

UNCG 7, Marshall 2

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG softball team put on a hitting display with two victories against Quinnipiac, 9-1 in five innings, and Marshall, 7-2, to sweep Day Two of the Spartan Classic Sunday afternoon at the UNCG Softball Stadium.

The Spartans improve to 10-1 on the season with two more wins running their win streak to seven-straight. Senior Heather Robb (Apex, N.C./Middle Creek) and junior Katelyn Bedwell (Surrey, B.C./Elgin Park) each ended the day with four hits apiece. Bedwell finished with a team-high five RBI combined for both games.

UNCG 9, Quinnipiac 1 (Five innings)

In game one, UNCG used 11 hits and nine runs to run-rule Quinnipiac, 9-1, in five innings. Sophomore Erica Navarette (San Marcos, Calif./Mission Hills) earned her first victory in her first start after throwing five complete innings. Navarette allowed just four hits, one earned run with one strikeout in the win.

 Bedwell went 3-for-3 with four RBI, including the game-ending double off the wall in the bottom of the fifth. Robb also had three hits with three runs scored.

The Spartans took an early 1-0 lead after Bedwell worked a two out single up the middle to score freshman Lindsay Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood) from second base.

Quinnipiac tied the game at 1-1 with a two out RBI single from Bridget Figmic. Nikkia Barba started the rally with a one out base hit to second, while Kortney Kesses reached on a hit by pitch. After a strikeout, Figmic tied the game with a single up the middle.

In the bottom of the fourth, UNCG took a commanding 5-1 lead after scoring four runs on two hits. Robb started the inning with a double to left center. Sophomore Tatiana Alcala (Oxnard, Calif./Pacifica) worked a walk and stolen base to put runners on second and third. After a groundout, sophomore Dominique Madruga (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic) loaded the bases with a hit by pitch. Junior Aisha Figueroa (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes) earned an RBI groundout for the second out. Alcala scored on a wild pitch to give the Spartans a 3-1 advantage. Bedwell continued the damage with a two-run single to right field to make it 5-1.

Robb started the bottom of the fifth with a single through the left side. After two-straight groundout, Madruga singled up the middle to score Robb to give the Spartans a 6-1 lead. After a walk, freshman Danielle Vega (Rialto, Calif./Aquinas) lined an RBI single to right field to push the lead to 7-1. After a wild pitch allowed Figueroa to score, Bedwell ended the game with a double off the left field wall to make the final 9-1.

UNCG 7, Marshall 2

In game two, redshirt junior Raeanne Hanks (Rainier, Ore./Rainier Senior) went the distance to earn her sixth win of the season. Hanks pitched seven innings scattering seven hits with two earned runs and seven strikeouts.

UNCG took a 1-0 lead after an RBI single from Robb that scored senior Eileen Horsmon (Dunkirk, Md./Northern) from second base. Horsmon started the threat with a one out double to give the Spartans a runner in scoring position.

In the bottom of the third, the Spartans broke open the game with a five-run inning on four hits. After one out, Figueroa and Vega reached on back-to-back singles. After a walk from Thomas, Bedwell brought one home on an RBI single to left field. A force out at home plate, followed by a bases-loaded walk from Robb gave UNCG a 3-0 advantage. Junior Toni MacReynolds (Vienna, Va./James Madison) came up with the big hit, a pinch-hit bases clearing double off the wall in left center to make the score 6-0 Spartans.

Thomas added an insurance run with an RBI double to right field in the bottom of the fifth. Madruga singled to start the frame, followed by a fielder’s choice from Figueroa who scored on the double by Thomas.

In the top of the seventh, the Thundering Herd broke the shutout with two runs thanks to a clutch two out two-run double from senior Jazmine Valle. Hanks was able to end the game with a routine groundout to second base to clinch the victory for UNCG.

UNCG conclude the Spartan Classic Monday, Feb. 25 against Marshall at 1:30 p.m. and against Drexel at 3:30 at the UNCG Softball Stadium.

College of Charleston 3, Wagner 2

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The College of Charleston softball team came from behind to beat Wagner, 3-2, in what would turn out to be its final game of the Cougar Classic. CofC’s night game versus Charleston Southern was canceled in the bottom of the first inning because of a light outage at Patriots Point.

The Charleston Southern game will start from scratch when it is reinserted back into the schedule at a to-be-determined date. In addition, Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Buccaneers has also been washed due to likely weather conditions.

In the Wagner contest, CofC (6-3) fell into a hole after a first-inning two-run homerun for the Seahawks. Cougar pitcher Stephanie Saylors (Easley, S.C.) bore down to keep the deficit manageable and received late run support from her offense. Saylors went the distance and improves to 3-0 in the pitching circle this season.

The Cougar bats were paced by Kelsey Hodgson (Woodstock, Ga.) and Chandler Frisbie (Lawrenceville, Ga.) who were both 2-for-3 on the day with an RBI apiece. Rebecca Mueller (Fair Oaks, Calif.) provided an RBI as well.

The Cougars fell into the early hole after a single by Brenda Bott backed up by a two-run home run from Kristen Matteoni in the top of the first inning.

Saylors would settle in after giving up the long ball and only surrender two hits and one walk the rest of the way. The run support finally came in the fourth inning once the Cougars managed to string hits together.

After Wagner starting pitcher Olivia Zwick picked up two quick outs and was nursing a one hitter, Hodgson doubled into right center which sparked a Cougar rally. Frisbie then singled back up the middle which brought Hodgson around to score. Mueller followed suit with a double into left field with Frisbie coming around to score to make it 2-2.

The Cougars manufactured the winning run in the sixth inning with Ashton Jarrett (Hanahan, S.C.) drawing a leadoff walk and taking second on a sacrifice bunt execution by. Mackenzie Maples (Corona, Calif.). Hodgson then hammered one through the left side of the infield to bring Jarrett to the plate.

The leadoff hitter for Wagner reached in the seventh, but Hodgson made a quick snag on a liner to third base and doubled off the runner to put Saylors in position to earn the win.

By the time the dust settled, Saylors struck out as many hits as she gave up with four in each category.

With the win, CofC rolls to its sixth-straight victory. The squad returns to action when it hosts No. 4 Tennessee in a single game at 3 p.m.

Elon 8, Hampton 2

ELON, N.C. – Tomeka Watson became the all-time home run leader for the Elon softball program as the Phoenix defeated Hampton, 8-2, on the final day of the Phoenix Softball Clash tournament at Hunt Softball Park. Watson belted her 27th career home run as the Phoenix (5-4) won its fourth straight game while Hampton fell to 4-9 on Sunday, Feb. 24.

After Phoenix starter Kayla Caruso quickly went through the Lady Pirates order in the top of the first inning, Elon’s Carleigh Nester was able to lead off with a single before eventually advancing to second with Watson coming to the plate.

On her very first pitch, Watson hit her historic home run over the left center wall for her seventh of the year, tying her total for all of last season. The Jackson, Ga., native broke a tie with Brandi Jones (2006-09) take sole possession on the top of the Elon record books.

With Elon holding a 2-0 advantage after the first, Hampton responded by plating two runs of its own in the top of the second. Adrianna Scott answered with a two-run home run to tie the game at 2-2. Caruso was able to strike out the next batter to get out of the top half of the inning.

Elon would add the go-ahead run in the bottom of the second on a Camille Hill single to center field to drive in Nester. Watson reached base on a fielder’s choice and moved into scoring position after stealing second. The Phoenix could not bring her home as Elon grounded out on the next at-bat to end the inning.

Following a scoreless third inning, Elon added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to improve its lead to 5-2. Lauren Oldham led off the fourth with a free pass followed by Nester doubling down the left field line to advance Oldham to third. After Hill reached base on an error by the pitcher, Oldham would score after Watson reached base again on a fielder’s choice while Nester advanced to third.

Nester crossed home plate on a Johanna Spencer grounder to second, followed by Watson scoring on an Emily Cameron two-out single into left field.

That run support was more than enough for Caruso who improved to 2-2 on the season after pitching a complete game in 7.0 innings of work allowing only three hits and two earned runs.

After giving up the home run in the second, Caruso set down the next four batters she faced and 12 out of the next 13 overall. The freshman from Kennesaw, Ga., also did not allow an extra base hit for the remainder of the game.

Elon would tack on two more runs in the bottom of the sixth before winning its fourth straight game and going a perfect 4-0 against the competition at the Phoenix Softball Clash.

Hampton’s Bobbi Langlois (0-2) pitched 6.0 innings in the loss for the Lady Pirates.

Elon returns to the field on Wednesday, Feb. 27, against East Carolina at 5 p.m. followed by a matchup with Virginia Tech on the following day, Thursday, Feb. 28 also at 5 p.m. The program will hold its opening dedication ceremony for Hunt Softball Park prior to the game against the Hokies.

Missouri State 8, Chattanooga 0

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.- The Chattanooga Lady Mocs softball team (7-7) dropped its final matchup of the 2013 Frost Classic on Sunday to the Missouri State Bears (7-8) in an 8-0 shutout at Frost Stadium.

Sophomore Taylor Deason (Clarksville, Tenn.) was charged with the loss, tossing seven complete innings and allowing 11 hits. The sophomore was touched up for eight earned runs despite recording 10 strikeouts against the Bears.

The offense for the Lady Mocs was quiet, finding just six hits through seven innings. Junior Stephanie Rieck (Chandler, Ariz.) was 2-3 with a couple of singles while Sara Poteat (Thomaston, Ga.), Kasey Tydingco (Fairfield, Calif.), junior Tyler Templet and senior Ninjja Suetsugu (Sao Paulo, Brazil) each recorded a hit. Tydingco also reached on a catcher's interference call.

Both teams were scoreless through three innings until Missouri State was able to put two runs on the board in the fourth inning. A single from Kerri Cunningham led off the inning and a home run from first baseman Stevie Pierce put the Bears on top.

Three Chattanooga runners stranded until the fifth inning, the Lady Mocs put two runners on with a Templet single into left field and a Poteat single through the right side, but a groundout ended the inning to keep UTC off the board.

Missouri State threw three runs on the board in the sixth inning on four hits and then added three more insurance runs on four hits in the seventh inning to extend the lead to 8-0.

The Lady Mocs go back to action Friday as they travel to Macon, Ga. to participate in the Mercer University Bear Classic. Chattanooga is scheduled to play four guaranteed tournament games before beginning an elimination tournament. UTC will face Northern Kentucky, Central Arkansas and Mercer over the three-day event.