March 15, 2006

Game One Final Stats
Game Two Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - On the strength of 20 base hits, including five for extra bases and three home runs, the Western Carolina Catamounts won both games of a doubleheader with the visiting Siena Saints on Wednesday afternoon at the Catamount Softball Complex. Freshman Allyson McCubbins belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to end the first game early, 9-1, and Western plated six runs in the first two innings en route to the 7-1 win in game two.

McCubbins finished the day 4-for-7 with two home runs, a double, and a walk to lead the Catamounts. The first-year utility player who has found a home behind the plate for the Catamounts scored four runs and drove in six on the afternoon. Freshman Heather Pritchard, whom McCubbins traded fielding positions with after the injury to starting shortstop Mollie Fowler, finished 3-for-5 with a walk, three RBI and three runs scored.

In addition to McCubbins' long ball, junior Ashley Adams added to her team lead with a three-run blast in the bottom of the second of game two.

Freshman right hander Mendy McKenzie earned the win in game one, throwing five complete innings and only allowing one run on four hits while striking out six and walking two. Her classmate counterpart, Jenny Jackson, tossed her fourth complete game in the second of the twinbill, scattering three hits and only allowing one run in seven innings.

Game one opened with McCubbins delivering a single to center field and later scoring when Adams ripped a 2-0 pitch into left field for a single. The Catamounts pushed their lead to two in the bottom of the third on a full count RBI double to left center by Jackson, plating Adams.

Leading by two, Western blew the game open in the fourth, loading the bases with a walk and two singles. With the bases juiced, McCubbins doubled to left center, pushing two across the plate for the 4-0 lead. Facing a new Saints pitcher, the next batter, Pritchard, singled to right field to score a pair as McCubbins and freshman Samm Keppel touched home for the 6-0 advantage. Pritchard would later score an unearned run on an error by the Siena first baseman on a ball hit by Jackson.

After Siena manufactured a run off a leadoff single by senior Jamie Walker, the Catamounts would end the game early in the home portion of the fifth inning. With two outs, Keppel singled to center field and was scored by the next batter when McCubbins took the 0-1 pitch over the right center field fence to force the run rule.

The Catamounts took advantage of opportunities in the top of the first in game two. Pritchard drew a one out walk and was moved to second when sophomore Savannah Filley grounded out. Jackson helped her own cause with an RBI single through the left side, scoring Pritchard for the early lead. An inning later, with Keppel on second, McCubbins homered to right center to push the lead to 3-0. Three batters later, after both Pritchard and Filley had delivered singles, Adams hit a towering homer to left field to give the Catamounts the commanding, 6-0, lead.

Western would add its final run in the home half of the seventh inning as Pritchard fouled out to deep left field, scoring freshman Sam Stepp, who was pinch running for classmate Stephanie Beatty after drawing a leadoff walk. WCU would strand two in the inning after loading the bases no outs.

The lone blemish in game two was a two-out home run to left center by Saints' sophomore Jennifer Granato.

Western will host the 2006 Best Western Catamount Classic this Friday through Sunday at the on-campus Catamount Softball Complex. The five-team tournament includes the Cats, Alabama A&M, Charleston Southern, Detroit, and UNC Wilmington. The first game is set for 2:00 pm on Friday, with WCU taking the field for the first time at 7:00 pm versus the UNCW Seahawks. The tournament is open to the public and admission for the three-day, 11-game event is free.

For more information on the 2006 Best Western Catamount Classic, please click HERE.