April 14, 2007

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina softball's Danielle Reese hit an RBI single to left field to score Lauren Ross and secure a 4-3 win over UNC-Greensboro in the second game of the doubleheader Saturday at Catamount Complex. The Catamounts lost the first game 9-6. Western Carolina returns to action on Sunday for the final game of the series with UNC-Greensboro. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Catamount Complex.

Western Carolina improves to 19-26 on the season and 4-7 in Southern Conference play. UNC-Greensboro is now 22-28 overall and 3-8 in the conference.

Lauren Ross got the call on the mound in the second game and earned the win. She tossed a complete game allowing two earned runs on five hits and tied her season high with nine strikeouts improving to 8-7 on the season.

Western Carolina jumped on the board early in the second game. With one out, Nikki Bost hit a single to right field and moved to second when Stephanie Beatty ground out. Savannah Filley hit an RBI single up the middle to score Bost.

UNC-Greensboro scored a run in the top of the third without getting a hit. Three walks and a Catamount error allowed the Spartans to tie the game. With the bases loaded, pitcher Ross walked in a run to tie the game.

The Catamounts scored two runs in the fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie. With the bases loaded and one out, Mendy McKenzie hit into a fielder's choice and picked up an RBI when Mollie Fowler scored. Jamie Swank also scored on the play when the Spartans' catcher allowed the ball passed her and it went to the back stop.

For the second time in the game, UNC-Greensboro had the bases loaded. Back-to-back singles and a one out walk loaded the bases for the Spartans in the fifth inning. Kara Clouser ground out for the second out of the inning, and Brittany Ausley scored.

UNC-Greensboro tied the game at three in the top of the sixth inning. Lindsey Wilson led off the inning with a single and scored thanks to an RBI single by Ausley. Ross gave up two walks to load the bases, the third time in the game the bases were full of Spartans. Ross was in a real jam when she gave up three balls to Jennifer Bonilla with the bases loaded. She got threw three straight strikes to fan Bonilla and get out of the inning.

Western Carolina had the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the sixth inning and let the scoring opportunity slip through its fingers. Beatty hit the ball to the pitcher and pinch runner Beth Hauser was out at home for the second out of the inning. Filley struck out looking to end the Catamount threat.

Game one of the doubleheader was a homerun-fest. Western Carolina and UNC-Greensboro combined for seven homeruns in the game, unfortunately, the Catamounts were losing end of the blast-fest.

The score was tied at four when Western Carolina took its only lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Beatty hit a one out double and with two outs moved to third off a wild pitch. It was then time for sophomore Lauren Ross to add some heroics to her manacle. With a 2-2 count, Ross launched a homerun over the center field wall to give Western Carolina a 6-5 advantage. It was Ross' seventh homerun of the season.

UNC-Greensboro scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to take the lead and the game. McKenzie, who got the start in the game, allowed four straight hits in the inning and back-to-back two RBI homeruns. Filley relieved her on the mound and closed out the inning.

The Spartans posted four runs to start the game. UNC-Greensboro scored its first run off a passed ball in the opening frame of the game and plated three runs in the third inning.

Western Carolina cut the Spartans' lead in half with one swing of the bat. With one out, Bost singled up the middle and was sent home thanks to a homerun by Filley, her fourth on the season.

Reese tied the game with a first in her career. She hit her first homerun of the season and it was two RBI shot sending Jamie Swank home as well.

McKenzie took the loss in the game and falls to 7-14 on the season. She had six strikeouts in the game.