April 9, 2006

Western Carolina vs. Elon - Game One

Western Carolina vs. Elon - Game Two

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina offensively combined for 18 hits, six of which were home runs, and Catamount pitching only allowed two runs with 13 total strikeouts as Western swept the Elon Phoenix, 8-0 in five innings and 6-2, to win the Southern Conference series on Sunday afternoon at the Catamount Softball Complex. The doubleheader played on Sunday represents the seasonal series with the Phoenix after rain and unsafe playing conditions prevented play on Saturday.

Freshman Heather Pritchard went deep in both games of the twin bill, while junior Ashley Adams belted two homers in the finale alone to account for the Catamounts with multiple homers in the series. Also adding long balls were freshman Lauren Ross and sophomore Savannah Filley as WCU reached 60 HRs as a team, three shy of tying the SoCon's all-time record set last year by the College of Charleston.

Western (26-15, 7-1 SoCon), which improved to 14-3 at home this season, also moves into sole possession of first place in the conference by virtue of winning percentage.

Freshman Mendy McKenzie pitched five scoreless innings, not allowing a base runner until the third and held Elon hitless through three and two-thirds. The rookie right-hander from Clemmons, N.C., scattered three hits over the final inning and a third, striking out seven and walking just one.

The Catamounts got on the board in the home half of the first inning when freshman Allyson McCubbins singled through the left side, then was sacrificed to second by Pritchard. McCubbins was plated when Adams lifted an RBI double to center field. Adams would later score on an error by the Phoenix right fielder, Nicole Ellis, to give WCU the 2-0 lead. Ellis did, however, atone for the miscue by gunning Jackson down at second trying to advance on the play that scored Adams.

Western would add four runs in the third, all of which were produced by home runs. McCubbins again led off with a single and was scored when Pritchard homered to left center for the 4-0 lead. The next batter, Filley, belted on to straight away center and her solo shot pushed the advantage to five. Three batters later, Ross also hit a home run to centerfield for the fourth run of the inning and a 6-0 Catamount lead.

WCU put the game away over the final two innings, plating a single run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Adams scoring freshman Samm Keppel and an additional run in the fifth with Ross stepping on home after an RBI single by Pritchard to force the run-rule. When the game ended, WCU had two out and the bases loaded.

Junior Ashley Adams hit her 13th and SoCon-leading 14th home runs on Sunday, both in the 6-2 game two victory.

McCubbins led Western's offense in game one, going a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Pritchard was also perfect at the plate, hitting 2-for-2 with two sacrifice bunts and three RBI. Adams finished 1-for-2, driving in two and scoring a run, with Ross scoring two and driving in one, also going 1-for-2.

In the second game, the Catamounts used a pair of three-run innings to hold off the Phoenix, winning 6-2, to sweep the series. Western hit home runs in each of its scoring frames, including two from the SoCon leader, Adams.

In the home half of the first, Filley drew a two-out walk which set up Adams, who belted a 0-1 pitch over the fence in left center for the early lead. The Catamounts would add the eventual game-winning run when freshman Beth Hauser worked the count full then doubled down the left field line, scoring starting pitcher, Jenny Jackson, from second for the 3-0 lead.

Elon (18-16, 4-4 SoCon) cut into the deficit in the top of the sixth inning with back-to-back, two-out doubles to pull to within two runs at 3-1. First baseman Laurin Smith doubled to left center and was scored on an RBI two-bagger down the left field line by Jaimie Rao. Jackson struck out Erica Ayala to end the threat.

Half an inning later, Western would give Jackson some insurance as Keppel led off with a double to left center and was able to trot home as two batters later, Pritchard blasted a 1-0 pitch over straight-away center field for the 5-1 lead. After Filley flew out to right for the second out of the inning, Adams hit her second home run, a solo shot to left center field, to give Western the 6-1 advantage.

In the seventh, Jackson struck out leadoff hitter, Brittney Waters, swinging before surrendering a one-out double to right center by Ellis, who moved to third on a single through the left side by Paige Goss. Ellis would score the final run for the Phoenix when Rebecca Rijavec singled. WCU used a strike out and a ground out to third to end the inning and the game.

Jackson earned her ninth win of the season by tossing all seven innings, scattering two runs on eight hits. She walked just one and struck out six. At the plate, she helped her own cause by going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Keppel led the Catamounts with a 2-for-3 performance, while Adams and joined Jackson at 2-for-4, with both hits being home runs, and a game-high three RBI. Pritchard finished with one hit in the game and two RBI.

Western will hit the road for a 10-game road swing, the longest in school history, beginning with a doubleheader on Thursday, April 13 at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C. The Catamounts return to conference action a day later at Chattanooga for a three-game set on Friday and Saturday.