March 16, 2008

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

BOONE, N.C. - Western Carolina softball (4-16, 0-2 SoCon) was swept by Appalachian State (3-18, 2-0 SoCon) in its first Southern Conference doubleheader of the season. The Catamounts fell 1-0 in the first game and 13-1 in the second.

Appalachian State broke a scoreless first game when the Mountaineers plated a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Katie Boyd hit a lead-off single and then stole second to move into scoring position. Brittany Gaston ground out to the second baseman but that allowed Boyd to move to third. With two outs, Stephanie Long hit a dribbler between the pitcher and third base which allowed her to reach first safely and Boyd to score the first run of the game.

The Mountaineers threatened again in the fifth inning. Tijana Stevens led off with a double and then moved to third off a wild pitch with no outs. Catamount hurler Lauren Ross forced a pair of groundouts and a strikeout to end the Appalachian State scoring attempt.

Western Carolina had a chance to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning. Redshirt sophomore Mollie Fowler led off the inning with a double to centerfield. A groundout by Ross moved pinch runner Nicole Shook to third with just one out. Junior Stephanie Beatty hit a shot to right field that looked long enough for Shook to tag and head home, but the play was a result of a miscommunication in signs and Shook stayed at third. Catcher Danielle Reese struck out to end the game.

Appalachian State took the early lead in the second game scoring in the first inning. With two outs Boyd singled through the left side and moved to second off a wild pitch by Catamount pitcher Michelle Tating. Gaston singled to right field and sent Boyd home for the first run of the game.

The Mountaineers unleashed for eight runs in the bottom of the second inning. The inning was capped off by a grand-slam by Long.

Tating lasted 1.1 innings giving up six runs on six hits. She was replaced by Ross with bases loaded in the second inning.

Western Carolina avoided its second shutout of the day when the Catamounts scored in the third inning. With two outs, Heather Pritchard hit a double to centerfield and scored off an RBI single by Amber Hawkins.

Appalachian State tacked on four runs in the third inning.

Ross took the loss in the first game falling to 0-7. Tating got registered with the loss in the second game and falls to 3-3.

Western Carolina returns to action Monday against Appalachian State in the final game of the Southern Conference series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.