May 10, 2007

Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Western Carolina softball (28-32) needed just one run and a little bit of luck Thursday to defeat 8th seeded UNC Greensboro (28-36), 1-0, in the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference Tournament at UNCG Softball Complex. The 5th seeded Catamounts advance to the semifinals against No. 7 seed Furman at 3 p.m. Friday.

Sophomore hurler Mendy McKenzie pitched a masterful game for the first six and two-thirds innings before she worked herself into a jam. McKenzie fanned the first two batters, in the top of the seventh inning, and looked to be headed to closing out the game when she gave up a walk to Lindsey Wilson.

UNCG's Brittany Ausley appeared to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead when she took McKenzie's offering over the left field wall. However, the apparent homerun and lead were called back when Wilson was called out at because she didn't touch home plate. It was the final out of the inning and the Catamounts won the game.

UNC Greensboro pitcher Vanessa Oakes only gave up one hit and one run to the Catamounts but it proved more than enough for Western Carolina.

Western Carolina's eventual game-winning run occurred in the bottom of the fourth inning. Senior Nikki Bost drew her second walk of the game and then moved to third when sophomore Stephanie Beatty got the Catamounts only hit. Designated player Savannah Filley hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Bost.

McKenzie tossed her second consecutive shutout of the tournament. She allowed just four hits and struck out eight Spartans in the game. McKenzie improves to 13-18 on the season.