April 15, 2007

Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina softball (20-26, 5-7 SoCon) won its first Southern Conference series of the season, defeating UNC-Greensboro (22-29, 3-9 SoCon) 6-0 Sunday at Catamount Complex. The club split the doubleheader on Saturday.

The Catamounts had a strong hitting performance against UNC-Greensboro. The team had 10 hits in the game and scored six runs.

It is the second conference shutout of the season for the Catamounts and first at home. Western Carolina defeated Elon 1-0 in the final game of the series.

Mendy McKenzie, Lauren Ross and Savannah Filley all saw action on the mound to combine for the win. McKenzie started the game and picks up the decision, improving to 8-14 on the season. McKenzie pitched three scoreless innings allowing just two hits and struck out one. Ross went two innings allowing one hit and also striking out one. Filley closed out the game tossing the final two innings allowing three hits and striking out two.

The Catamounts opened the game with a run to take the early lead. McKenzie hit a lead-off double to left field and scored off an RBI double by Nikki Bost.

In the third inning, McKenzie again led off with a hit this time a single. Bost and Lauren Ross drew walks to load the bases and an RBI single Mollie Fowler accounted for the second Catamount run of the game.

Western Carolina unloaded for four runs in the fourth inning. With one out, Danielle Reese hit a one out single and McKenzie got her third hit of the game to place runners at first and second. A sacrifice bunt by Bost moved runners to second and third and Reese and McKenzie scored thanks to a two RBI double by Stephanie Beatty. Savannah Filley followed with a two run homer to center field to plate herself and Beatty.

McKenzie was 3-for-4 in the game with three runs scored and a double. Fowler was the only other player with a multiple hit performance, hitting two singles.

The Catamounts return to action on Wednesday hosting a non-conference doubleheader with Georgia State. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.