March 22, 2008

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina was swept by Southern Conference foe Elon 6-1, 7-5 Saturday at the Catamount Softball Complex. The Catamounts fall to 6-19 and 0-5 in the SoCon while the Phoenix improves to 13-9 and 2-0 in the SoCon.

Western Carolina miscues assisted Elon in the victory in game one. In the top of the second inning the Phoenix got on the scoreboard with two runs. Melanie Helterbran led off the inning with a single and pinch runner for Helterbran scored off an RBI single by Caitlin McGowen. Brandi Jones reached on a Catamount error which allowed McGowen to score.

The game was still close until the fifth inning. Catamount pitcher Lauren Ross allowed two walks to start the inning and Elon also capitalized on two Western Carolina errors to add four runs and lead 6-0.

Western Carolina avoided the shutout by scoring one run in the sixth inning. Heather Pritchard led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a ground out by Stephanie Beatty. Pritchard scored when Ross hit a shot to center field that was just shy of a homerun but Ross did collect an RBI double.

Ross took the loss in the game tossing a solid game for Western Carolina despite the loss. She allowed four hits, three earned runs and fanned a season-high seven batters falling to 1-9 on the season. Michelle Tating replaced Ross in the fifth inning and allowed one hit struck out three.

Western Carolina left 10 runners on base, had four hits and committed three errors in the game.

Elon scored in every inning but one in the second game and ended the game with 12 hits to assure the doubleheader sweep. The Phoenix had a single run in five of the innings and two in of the third inning.

Western Carolina did avoid a shutout. With one out in the fourth inning, Pritchard drew a walk, and after Ashley Steinel ground out, Beatty and Ross drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Pinch hitter Mollie Fowler got a two RBI double to scored Pritchard and Beatty.

The Catamounts attempted a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning scoring three runs. Reese hit a lead-off single up the middle and scored off an RBI double by Amber Hawkins. Ashley Steinel's RBI single through the right side scored Hawkins. Beatty continued the inning with a single to right field and Ross hit a single passed the third base to scored pinch runner Casey Camp. With runners on first and second, and two outs, freshman Rachel Drawdy struck out looking to end the Catamount threat.

Tating takes the loss in the second game. She falls to 4-4 on the season. Reese, Hawkins and Ross each had two hits in the game.

The Catamounts complete their series with Elon on Sunday. The single game is set for 1 p.m. at the Catamount Softball Complex.