Western Carolina 5, Maine 4

Western Carolina 13, North Carolina Central 2

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Western Carolina softball (2-1) swept day two action at the Subway Upstate Classic Saturday defeating Maine (2-1) 5-4 and North Carolina Central (0-3) 13-2.

Western Carolina came from behind twice to defeat Maine 5-4 in the first game of the second day of the Subway Upstate Classic. Sophomore pitcher Jordan Garrett relieved senior Amber Steinhardt, early in the first inning, and went on to record 12 strikeouts, allowing two earned runs and improving to 1-1 on the season.

Junior outfielder Amelia Griffin was 3-for-4 in the game, scoring a run and picking up an RBI.

Maine broke open the game early scoring two runs, in the first inning, both off Catamount hurler Steinhardt.

Western Carolina trimmed the Black Bear lead to one in the bottom of the first inning. Griffin led off with a single and moved to second off a single by Shemekia Scotton. Senior third baseman Haley Pace walked to load the bases and an RBI single past third by Steinhardt scored Griffin.

Maine extended its lead to 3-1 in the top of the second. With one out, Kristen Koslosky singled to left field and scored on a ground out RBI by Nikki Bryon.

The Catamounts knotted the game at three in the third inning. With one out, Scotton got her second hit of the game, a single past first base, and scored on an RBI double by sophomore catcher Heather Chastain, who moved to third on a Main error. Pace’s RBI single plated Chastain to tie the game at three.

With one out, Kayla Myers’ bunt single would assist in giving Western Carolina its first lead of the game in the fourth inning. Griffin followed with a bunt single and senior outfielder Jordan Fulton followed with an RBI single to score Myers and give the Catamounts a 4-3 lead.

The Black Bears weren’t finished as Maine tied the game for the second time in the top of the sixth. With one out, Katlin Norton came in to pinch hit for Kayla Kowalski and doubled to left field. Kowalski came back in the game and scored off an RBI single by EmJ Fogel.

Western Carolina answered in the bottom of the sixth scoring one run and taking the lead for good, 5-4, for the win. Myers got her second hit of the game, a double to left field, setting up an RBI single by Griffin to score Myers and seal the game.

Western Carolina benefitted from a seven run second inning to defeat North Carolina Central 13-2, in five innings, to close out day two of the Subway Upstate Classic.

Freshman pitcher Mallory Broome (1-0) got the first start of her Catamount career and earned her first win. She went five innings allowing one earned run, four hits and struck out nine. The Eagles’ Bianka Molina took the loss and falls to 0-2.

Western Carolina jumped out on the Eagles early scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. Griffin led off with a single and stole second. Fulton reached on a NC Central fielding error and Scotton was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Pace hit into a fielder’s choice erasing Griffin at home. Freshman first baseman Taylor Sigmon knocked a two RBI single up the middle to score Fulton and Scotton. 

The Catamounts had a monster second inning scoring seven runs. Back-to-back walks from Myers and Griffin opened the inning. Fulton laid down a sacrifice bunt that resulted in a muffed throw by the Eagles allowing Myers to score. A passed ball by NC Central sent Griffin home and Fulton to third and an RBI double laced to right field by Scotton scored Fulton. The barrage continued when Pace singled and Sigmon drew a walk to load the bases. Freshman Sarah Perrine made the most of her first at bat as a Catamount, hitting a two RBI double to center field. With two outs, Sigmon scored on wild pitch and Perrine scored off an RBI single by Amber Kimrey.

After tossing three scoreless innings, Broome gave up a run to NC Central in the top of the fourth. Amber Kirkland got on base courtesy of a Western Carolina fielding error and scored from an RBI double by Tiphani Jackson.

With one out Makenzi McAteer, who came in to play second at the start of the fourth, drew a walk. Kimrey also walked and Griffin singled to load the bases with one out. Fulton hit into a fielder’s choice and McAteer was out at home for the second out. Scotton tacked on three more runs for Western Carolina when she hit a three RBI triple to center field.

North Carolina Central added a lone run in the bottom of the fifth inning. The game was called after the Eagles at bat due to the run rule.

The Catamounts had10 hits in the game with Griffin and Pace each logging two hits.

Western Carolina plays host USC Upstate at 2 p.m. Sunday in the final day of action at the Subway Upstate Classic.

#12 USF 3, Samford 0

Samford 2, Marshall 1

TAMPA, Fla. ---- Samford Softball capped its day at the USF-Wilson DeMarini Tournament by facing the host team, 12th-ranked USF.  The Bulldogs played a close game with one of the country’s premiere programs, though timely hitting by the Bulls and their nationally-renowned bullpen ultimately made the difference in the 3-0 defeat.

Samford (2-1) earned its first loss of the season but threatened to score multiple times throughout the game.  Caroline Seay, Megan Dowdy and Kayla Shaffer each recorded a hit in the loss, including a gutsy bunt single by Seay late in the game.  Shelby Scott (0-1) got her first start of the season, pitching 4.0 innings with five hits and three earned runs in the loss.  Misha Aldridge entered in relief in the bottom of the fifth and retired six-straight batters.

#12 USF (3-0) is still undefeated on the young season as freshman lefty Erica Nunn (1-0) got her first career start and win, throwing 4.0 shutout innings with seven strikeouts.  At the plate, the Bulls were led by Stephanie Medina, who went 2-3 including an RBI bunt single in the first.

In the bottom of the first, Kourtney Salvarola was hit by a pitch to lead off and was then sacrificed over to second base.  She advanced to third on a wild pitch and came home off a bunt single by Medina.  After a foul out, Medina moved into scoring position off another wild pitch but Scott would freeze Lee Ann Spivey at the plate as she was called looking at a strikeout to end the inning with the Bulldogs down one.

Samford earned its first hit of the game in the top of the third as Kayla Shaffer knocked a two-out single into center field.  The speedy senior stole second base as the potential tying run but Nunn threw her sixth strikeout of the game to leave Shaffer stranded and retire the side.

In the bottom of the fourth, USF’s Lee Ann Spivey would hit a leadoff double and, following a popup, would be driven home by Morgan Litchfield’s RBI single to left field as the Bulls went up 2-0.  Consecutive flyouts would limit the damage however as the Bulls could only extend their lead by one.

In the bottom of the fifth, Salvarola blasted a leadoff home run to push the Bulls’ lead to 3-0, which ended the day for Scott on the mound.  Misha Aldridge entered to pitch and put down the USF batters 1-2-3 to end the inning and keep Samford in the game.

Caroline Seay led off the top of the sixth, pinch-hitting for Madison Dickey, and reached first off a bunt single.  She advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third off a groundout.  Consecutive groundouts to third base kept her 60 feet away however, as the Bulldogs were shut out in the top of the sixth.

Aldridge recorded another hitless inning in the bottom of the sixth, retiring the side in order as the Bulldogs headed into the top of the seventh needing to overcome a three-run deficit to stay alive.  Samford got a bat on the ball all three times but were put out in order to end the game as USF earned the 3-0 victory.

Samford closes out competition in Tampa tomorrow morning as they face #15 Michigan (2-1) at 9 a.m. ET.

TAMPA, Fla. ---- Samford won its second game of the young season thanks to a great performance by Mollie Hanson on the mound as the Bulldogs held on for a slim 2-1 victory over Marshall Saturday afternoon.

Samford (2-0) and Marshall (1-3) would not score after the second inning, as the Bulldogs’ two runs in the bottom half of the inning proved enough to win the low-scoring affair.  Hannah Taylor went 2-3 on the day batting sixth while Kayla Shaffer and Madison Dickey drove in Samford’s only two runs in the bottom of the second.

Hanson (2-0) earned the win on the mound, going the distance for the second-straight game.  Marshall starter Halie Vance (0-1) only lasted 1.1 innings and was credited with both earned runs in the loss.

The Thundering Herd started off fast, earning back-to-back singles to lead off the game and each batter also stole second, putting two in scoring position right away.  After a strikeout, Jazmine Valle hit a grounder to third, reaching on a fielder’s choice as Callie Brister threw to Taylor covering home to stop the Marshall runner trying to score.  Bri Anna Hope, pinch-running for Valle, then stole second as Ashley Gue came home to score on the double steal.  Hanson limited the damage by striking out the final batter, ending the half-inning with a one-run deficit.

Caroline Wilder led off the bottom of the second with a walk, advancing to second two batters later as Taylor dropped a single into left field.  Both runners advanced into scoring position following a wild pitch, giving the Bulldogs an early scoring opportunity with one out.  Arica Dykes followed that up with a walk, loading the bases with still only one out.  That ended the day for Vance on the mound, as Andi Williamson entered looking to get the Herd out of the jam.  Shaffer grounded out to second but still earned the RBI as Wilder scored from third to tie the game at 1-1 with two runners in scoring position with two outs.  Cycling back to the top of the order, Dickey laced a single down the left-field line, putting runners at the corners and scoring Taylor from third to give the Bulldogs the 2-1 lead.  A groundout ended the inning, stranding two with Samford holding a one-run lead.

Marshall made a scoring bid in the top of the fourth, as Valle led off the inning with a double in the left-field gap, advanced to third with two out but was ultimately left stranded as Samford held onto the one-run lead.  A one-out single and a stolen base by Dykes gave Samford its own scoring opportunity in the bottom half of the inning, but a popup and a strikeout left her stranded as the score remained 2-1.

Taylor earned her second hit of the day in the bottom of the sixth, a one-out single through the left side.  Surane came in to pinch run for the freshman and immediately stole second.  Dykes was walked to put two runners on base and a groundout moved both of them into scoring position with two out.  The pair was stranded however, leaving Samford with only a one-run lead in the top of the seventh.  The Herd went down in order in the top of the seventh though as the Bulldogs held on for the one-run victory.

Samford will play a second game later tonight as they play the host team, #12 USF (1-0) at 6:15 p.m. ET.  The Bulls will square off against 15th-ranked Michigan (2-0) today at 4 p.m. ET before they play Samford on the back-end of the double header.

UNCG 2, George Mason 1

UNCG 5, Charleston Southern 4

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The UNCG softball team swept Day One at the Charleston Southern Tournament after taking down George Mason, 2-1, and tournament host Charleston Southern, 5-4, at Buccaneer Field.

Freshman Lindsay Thomas (Irvine, Ca./Northwood) hit two home runs, including the game-winning solo home run to defeat Charleston Southern, 5-4, in game two.

UNCG improves to 2-0 for the first time since the 2004 season when the Spartans started 10-1.

In game one, UNCG received a complete game effort from redshirt junior Raeanne Hanks (Rainier, Ore./Rainier Senior), who went the distance for her first victory since May 1, 2011 against Samford and her second complete game ever. Hanks (1-0) returned to the circle after suffering an injury and started her first game since April 23, 2011 against Georgia Southern. Hanks tossed seven innings with seven strikeouts, coming just one shy of tying her career-high (8).

Head coach Janelle Breneman becomes just the third UNCG softball coach ever to win their season debut with the Spartans joining Katie Flynn (1998) and Stephanie DeFeo (2003). Breneman is the first coach in UNCG history to open up 2-0 in her debut.

In the top of the first, George Mason used three walks around two strikeouts to load the bases. Hanks would work out of the jam by striking out Casey Price to end the inning.

The Patriots would threaten again in the top of the fourth as Price singled to left and advanced to second on an error. Hanks would get Tori Rodriguez swinging and the next two batters on ground outs to end the inning. 

The game would remain scoreless until the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Thomas blasted her first career hit and home run to left field to give UNCG a 1-0 lead. Senior Aubrey Baldwin (Tucson, Ariz./Catalina Foothills) followed with a single off the pitcher with one out. After a fly out, senior Heather Robb (Apex, N.C./Middle Creek) singled to center and Baldwin came home after an errant throw from the third baseman to give the Spartans a 2-0 advantage.

George Mason would answer in the top of the sixth after Chrsitina Gabriele reached on an error to open the inning. Price moved Gabriele to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a groundout, Angela Maioran singled up the middle to cut the lead to 2-1. The Patriots would load the bases again after a single and a walk. Sarah Solano came on to pinch hit but Hanks fielded an easy play to first to end the threat.

In the top of the seventh, Hanks induced two-straight groundouts to start the inning. Hanks gave up a two-out walk but ended the game with a groundout to Robb at shortstop.

With the victory, the Spartans improve to 12-2 all-time against George Mason.

In game two, UNCG rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the top of the seventh when junior Katelyn Bedwell (Surrey, British Columbia/Elgin Park Secondary) blasted a one-out three-run home run to tie the game at 4-4. Thomas would follow with the eventual game-winning bomb to deep center to give the Spartans a 5-4 lead.

Freshman pitcher Nicole Thomas (Irvine, Ca./Northwood) earned his first victory after pitching two scoreless innings of relief. Thomas worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh to help UNCG secure the victory.

Charleston Southern took an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first after Jana Matthews hit a two-out three-run homer to left field.

The inning began with a leadoff walk followed by a strikeout from starting pitcher Kelly Lupton (Galloway, N.J./Absegami). Marci Christian singled to put runners on first and second with one-out. Stephanie Sbardella singled through the left side and Baldwin fired home to nail the runner at the plate. With two outs, Matthews lined the first pitch to left for her first home run of the season.

UNCG had an opportunity in the top of the second when Bedwell singled through the right side to open the frame. After a groundout, senior Eileen Horsmon (Dunkirk, Md./Northern) singled to put runners on first and third with one out. The Spartans couldn't push any runs across after Dominique Madruga (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic) lined out to second to end the inning.

The Spartans scored their first run of the game after a one-out pinch-hit double from junior Toni MacReynolds (Vienna, Va./James Madison). MacReynolds roped a double off the wall scoring Robb from second.

UNCG concludes the Charleston Southern tournament with a rematch against George Mason Sunday at 1 p.m. at Buccaneer Field.

Georgia Southern 6, Akron 4

St. John’s 4, Georgia Southern 3

STATESBORO, Ga. - After falling to St. John's in extra innings, the Georgia Southern softball team split day two of the 2013 Eagle Round Robin.

Georgia Southern (2-1) was in position to improve to 3-0 on the young season after a 6-4 win over Akron (1-1) but was unable to put away St. John's (1-2) in game two. The Red Storm scored in the seventh inning to force extra frames and again in the 10th inning to win 4-3.

The Eagles' Shelby Morrill combined for four hits in seven at-bats over the two games and scored three runs on the day. Junior shortstop Kourtney Thomas added three hits, four RBI and two runs scored in the first game of the day, while freshman A.J. Hamilton went two-for-four with two RBI in game two.

Game One vs Akron

Thomas launched a three-run homer in the second inning and added a RBI double in the seventh to help propel Georgia Southern, playing as the visiting team, past Akron in the first game of the day.

Junior Sarah Purvis (W, 2-0) picked up her second win and struck out six batters in her second start of the year. Purvis faced just two over the minimum through the first three frames before allowing a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Purvis allowed five hits and two earned runs over five frames. Brooke Red tossed the final two innings and allowed one hit and an unearned run for her first save of the year.

Allisa Birkhimer (L, 0-1) tossed a complete game but was saddled with the loss after allowing six runs – four earned - on 9 hits. Birkhimer also struck out six batters while walking two.

After the Eagles jumped ahead 3-0 on Thomas' home run, they added two unearned runs in the fourth inning to take a 5-0 lead. Lexi Allen, who finished game one two-for-four, plated both runs with a two-out double.

The Zips charged back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring two runs on a Rachael Ratcliffe home run and adding single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to cut the deficit to 5-4.

Morrill singled with two-outs in the top of the seventh inning before Thomas doubled down the left field line to give the Eagles a two-run cushion headed into the bottom of the seventh.

Red coaxed three-straight ground balls, which were all scooped up by third baseman Andrea Tarashuk to record the final three outs.

Game Two vs St. John's

A seventh inning error and three-straight hits, including a RBI single by Chrissy Montez in the 10th inning, rallied St. John's past Georgia Southern in game two.

The Eagles led 3-2 going into the bottom of the seventh on Hamilton's first career hit, a two-run home run, but an error by the pitcher Marla Thompson on a fielded ground ball led to a game-tying RBI single by Erin Burner.

Thompson (L, 0-1) took the loss after allowing two runs – one earned – on four hits. She tossed 3.1 innings in relief of starter Allie Miles, who pitched 6.2 innings of two-run ball. Miles also struck out eight batters while allowing 9 hits.

Ashley Beza (W, 1-1) picked up the win in relief of Aleshia Link, who allowed one unearned run over 2.1 innings. Beza struck out six and allowed two runs on five hits over 7.2 frames.

Morrill led GSU in game two with three hits in five at-bats, while Hamilton finished with two hits and two RBIs. Kaitlyn Johnson added a pair of singles, and Tabby Douberley and Lindsey Wilcox both drove in runs.

The Red Storm jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first after a lead-off single by Yvonne Rericha scored on a sacrifice fly by Jackie Reed. The Eagles countered with a run of their own in the bottom frame, scoring Alexa Lewis with a ground out to first base.

St. John's took a 2-1 lead before Hamilton's homer with three-straight two-out hits plating a run in Reed.

Georgia Southern concludes the 2013 Eagle Round Robin against Tennessee Tech tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. Prior to the Eagles taking the field, Akron will face Tennessee Tech at 9:30 a.m. and St. John's at 11:30 a.m.

No. 8 Georgia 8, Elon 0

Winthrop 4, Elon 1

ATHENS, Ga. – The Elon softball team suffered a couple of tough losses today, Feb. 9, to finish play at the Red and Black Showcase. Elon dropped its first game of the afternoon, an 8-0 setback to No. 8 Georgia (2-1) before losing to Winthrop, 4-1 in the nightcap. The Phoenix fell to 1-3 on the year.

Game 1

The Phoenix had an opportunity to put some runs on the board early when UGA’s Morgan Montemayor walked Carleigh Nester and Lauren Oldham to lead off the game. A sacrifice bunt by Tomeka Watson advanced both runners into scoring position for Elon with Johanna Spencer coming to the plate. Spencer reached on a fielder’s choice, but Nester was called out in a rundown. A strike out followed to end the inning and the Phoenix’s threat.

UGA would get on the scoreboard with three runs in the bottom of the second. The Bulldogs led off with a pair of singles. After a wild pitch, Georgia’s Katie Browne doubled into center field to drive both runners home, then scored later after an Elon error to put the Bulldogs ahead, 3-0.

The Phoenix bats went down in order in the top of the third, but Elon responded in the bottom half with great defensive play from freshman Emily Cameron at second base. Cameron helped record the final two outs of the inning, throwing out a runner at home plate on a fielder’s choice by Bry Blanco. She then caught Christine Olney’s line drive up the middle to end the inning.

The Bulldogs plated five more runs in the bottom of the fourth to push its lead to 8-0. Elon could not respond in the top half of the fifth inning after Nester fouled out to the right fielder to end the game.

The Phoenix’s Karen Berna (0-1) pitched four innings in the loss. UGA’s Morgan Montemayor (1-0) pitched five shutout innings and allowed only two hits.

Nester went 1-for-3 while Aly Quintana had the other lone hit for the Phoenix.

Game 2

The Lady Eagles struck first in the opening frame, racking up two hits and two earned runs. Winthrop’s Kristy Noble drew a free pass and advanced to second after a McKenzi Corn grounder to the shortstop. She was then driven home by a Chelsey Schoenfeldt a single into left field then followed her across the plate on a Kathryn Eberlin double into right center field. Elon’s Chlesea White was able to strike out the final batter to escape the inning with the Phoenix trailing 2-0.

The Phoenix could not respond in the bottom half, going down in order. The Lady Eagles’ capitalized on a Christine Dewitt lead-off home run in the top of the second inning to push Winthrop’s lead to 3-0. Winthrop would add another run before White recorded her third strikeout to end the inning.

In the bottom of the second inning, a one-out single by Cameron into left center followed by another single by Hill put Elon into scoring position. The next two Phoenix batters could not drive them in as Elon ended the inning without scoring a run.

The top of the third inning was highlighted by great defensive play from the maroon and gold, particularly from shortstop Quintana. After a one-out single by Eberlin, the Lady Eagles’ Alex White hit the ball to Quintana, who was able to tag second base and throw out White for the unassisted double play.

Elon could not build off that momentum as the maroon and gold recorded only three hits over the next three innings. Kayla Caruso would come in to pitch two scoreless innings in relief for White.

Elon would threaten in the bottom of the sixth and finally get on the scoreboard. Watson hit a one-out solo home run to bring the Phoenix within three, 4-1. It was the Jackson, Ga., native’s 22nd career homer, four shy of tying the all-time mark in program history.

Cameron and Hill followed with two out-singles then Grace Eng was given a free pass to load the bases. Elon failed to capitalize on the opportunity and struck out to end the inning.

Elon final chance for a comeback ended in the seventh inning when Johanna Spencer popped up to the shortstop to end the game.

White (1-1) went five innings with five strikeouts and three earned runs allowed. Caruso allowed one hit in two innings of work. Winthrop’s Sutton Watson (1-0) pitched a complete game and allowed only one earned run.

The Phoenix will take a break before its home-opener at its new stadium new home, Hunt Softball Park, on Feb. 19, against Campbell. That game is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Chattanooga 6, Long Island 4

Virginia Tech 7, Chattanooga 5

CLERMONT, Fla.-The Chattanooga Lady Mocs softball team (1-3) claimed its first win of the season with a 6-4 win over the Long Island Blackbirds (0-3) at Dot Richardson's National Training Center Invitational in Clermont, Fla. Chattanooga dropped its second game of the afternoon, falling to Virginia Tech (3-1) 7-5.

Chattanooga 6 - Long Island 4

The Lady Mocs fell behind quickly to the Blackbirds as Long Island scored a run in the first and three runs in the second, putting Chattanooga into a 4-0 deficit.

Redshirt freshman Jenny Garcia (Miami, Fla.) got the start for Chattanooga but was chased after one inning. The young pitcher gave up back-to-back doubles and hit a batter in the first inning before hitting a second batter in the second inning. Freshman Kaisey Carson (Indianapolis, Ind.) was brought on in relief and Garcia took over in left field, but Carson would not have any better luck against the Blackbirds' bats.

Carson faced just five batters in one-third inning, surrendering a hit, run and two walks. Taylor Deason (Clarksville, Tenn.) entered the second inning with the bases loaded. The sophomore was able to get out of the inning on the next play- a double-play to end the three-run frame for Long Island.

Although held scoreless through two innings, Chattanooga's bats came alive in the third inning as back-to-back walks issued to Kasey Tydingco (Fairfield, Calif.) and Anyssa Robles (Hoschton, Ga.) put runners on with one out. An infield single from Sarah Beth Roberts (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) loaded the bases and Garcia delivered with a 2-RBI double to cut the Long Island lead in half.

Chattanooga struck again in the fourth, pulling the score to 4-3. A Robles groundout brought senior Sara Poteat in from third, but the Lady Mocs took a permanent lead in the fifth inning. Freshman Alyssa Taylor (Orange, Calif.) tied the game 4-4 with an RBI single to centerfield to begin the scoring inning. Junior Stephanie Rieck singled up the middle just two at-bats later, driving in Taylor. After a pitching change by the Blackbirds, a passed ball allowed Poteat to score from third base to cap the Lady Mocs scoring.

Deason picked up her first win in the relief appearance, going 5.2 innings and giving up just one hit. The Clarksville, Tenn. native allowed only three walks while striking out 10 batters.

Poteat was 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and a walk, and Garcia accounted for two Chattanooga RBIs. Rieck, Robles and Taylor each drove in one run.

Chattanooga 5 - Virginia Tech 7

The Lady Mocs suffered their third loss of the season in a tight game with the ACC's Virginia Tech Hokies. UTC fell behind quickly again in the first inning. Rachel Albritton (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) got the start for Chattanooga but ran into trouble in the first and second innings. Two hits accounted for a run in the first inning, but two more hits in the top of the second put the Lady Mocs down 3-0.

Chattanooga came storming back in the bottom half of the second with three runs on three hits and two Virginia Tech miscues. With the bases loaded, Taylor turned a pitch around and drove it to centerfield, driving in two runs to draw UTC within one run of the lead. During the next at-bat, a passed ball and throwing error allowed Ninjja Suetsugu (Sao Paulo, Brazil) to score all the way from second base.

After a scoreless third inning, the Hokies answered back with four runs in the fourth inning to retake the lead 7-3. Chattanooga was able to hold Virginia Tech scoreless for the rest of the game, but the Lady Mocs' game of catch-up fell just short.

UTC tacked on two runs in the sixth inning when junior Tyler Templet (Woodstock, Ga.) reached on an error, causing Garcia and Roberts to score from second and third base, but the two runs would not be enough to take a late lead.

Deason was handed the loss, bringing her record to 1-2 on the young season. The sophomore pitched five innings, allowing just seven hits and four runs.

Roberts was 3-for-4 at the plate against the Hokies, scoring two runs. Taylor's two RBI's were her second and third runs driven in on the season.

Chattanooga wraps up the weekend Sunday morning at 9 a.m. as it faces off against the Fordham Rams (3-1). Fordham's first win of the season came against UTC Friday evening, taking the matchup 6-5 over the Lady Mocs. Fordham has since taken victories over Long Island and Virginia Tech. The Rams lone loss of the season came against Southern Illinois Saturday afternoon.

Furman 8, Kent State 5

Auburn, Ala. – Freshman Meaghan Houston tossed 6 1/3 innings of one-hit relief and Furman rallied from a 4-0 first inning deficit to down Kent State, 8-5, on Saturday afternoon in the Plainsman Invitational at Auburn University's Jane B. Moore Field.

Houston, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, entered the game with Furman trailing 4-0 in the top half of the first inning and proceeded to limit the Golden Flashes to just one run on one hit the rest of the way to secure her first collegiate victory.  The lefthander, who picked up a save in the Paladins' 4-2 win over Army on Friday, walked just two batters while striking out eight in her third appearance of the weekend.

Four of the first five Kent State batters came across to score against Furman starter Shelby Parker, capped off by Caitie Kilbane's two-run blast over the left field fence to stake the Golden Flashes to a 4-0 lead.  After Houston retired the first batter she faced to end the frame, Nikki Legg and Lauren Collier reached on one-out singles in the bottom half of the inning before Hannah Pace and Sieara Bishop delivered back-to-back run scoring singles to cut the Kent State to 4-2.

Collier, who went 3-of-3 with a pair of doubles and three RBI, doubled to center in the third inning to plate Nikki Legg and cut the lead to 4-3, but Kent State got the run back on a double steal attempt in the top of the fourth to fashion a 5-3 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, Furman exploded for four runs on five hits and a Kent State error to take the lead.  With one out, Taylor Jenkins tripled into the right field corner and scored on Sarah Eidt's double to left-center field.  Legg reached on a two-out error and Collier gave the Paladins the lead with a two-run double to the wall in right-center.  Pace followed with an RBI single up the middle to increase the Furman advantage to 7-5.

Sophomore Ambree Muller belted a solo homer to left-center field in the fifth before Houston retired the final six batters she faced in order to improve the Paladins to 2-1 on the season.

Pace joined Collier with three hits while also driving in two runs and throwing out two would-be base stealers from behind the plate.  Legg and Clemmons each collected a pair of hits as Furman pounded out 14 hits in six innings against Kent State pitching.

Lauren McNeil took the loss for the Golden Flashes, allowing six runs on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings in the circle.  Kilbane scored two runs and drove in two for Kent State.

The Paladins conclude play in the Plainsman Invitational on Sunday when they square off with Ohio Valley Conference member Austin Peay at 10 a.m. ET at Jane B. Moore Field.