March 16, 2007

Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina softball's (7-16) seventh inning rally fell short as the Catamounts lost to UNC-Wilmington (10-14) 6-5 in the first day of the Best Western Catamount Classic Friday at the Catamount Complex.

With two outs in the top of the seventh inning, Western Carolina right fielder Beth Hauser hit a solo shot over the left field wall to pull the Catamounts within one, 6-5. The rally was halted when Jamie Swank struck out swinging.

A pair of doubles to start the sixth inning prompted a rally for the Catamounts. Stephanie Beatty began the inning with a double and Savannah Filley's double scored Beatty for the first Western Carolina run of the game. Beth Hauser drew a walk and Tatum Hargett hit a single to load the bases for Lauren Ross who hit a two RBI double. Mendy McKenzie's RBI single scored Hargett for the fourth run of the inning.

UNC-Wilmington exploded for six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to snap a scoreless game. The Seahawks scored three runs with two outs and was assisted by two Western Carolina errors.

Western Carolina hurler Mendy McKenzie took the loss in the game and falls to 3-9 on the season. She recorded eight strikeouts in the game, one shy of her season-high of nine, and allowed six hits and three earned runs.

Day two of the Best Western Catamount Classic begins at 9 a.m. with UNC-Wilmington facing Radford. Western Carolina plays Detroit at 1 p.m. and Radford at 3 p.m.

Game One: Radford 12, Detroit 4

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Radford had 14 hits and defeated Detroit 12-4 in six innings in the first game of the Best Western Catamount Classic Friday.

The Highlanders scored in five of the six innings and ever player picked up at least one hit. Ashley Carlson led Radford going 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Jenn Everheart, Hope Creasy and Alex Roderick each hit homeruns in the game.

Radford pitcher Ashley Taylor came into the game in relief in the fourth inning and got the win. She tossed three innings allowing just one hit and struck out five.

Detroit's Michelle Baggio, Adrienne Baran and Courtney Gill each had homeruns in the game. Baran took the loss pitching 4.2 innings allowing nine runs on nine hits and struck out four.