March 23, 2008

Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina softball put together a late rally in the final two innings but couldn't overcome the three homeruns by Elon, falling to the Phoenix 13-6 Sunday at the Catamount Softball Complex; the Catamounts drop to 6-20 and 0-6 in the Southern Conference while Elon improves to 14-9 and 3-0 in the SoCon.

Elon scored in five of the seven innings in the contest. The Phoenix posted a single run in the second and third innings and got two runs in the fifth inning. Elon all but put the game out of reach when Melanie Helterbran hit a grand-slam over the left field wall - it was her second homerun of the game.

Western Carolina trailed 9-0 in the bottom of the sixth when it started a rally. Senior Jamie Swank led off the inning with a double and sophomore catcher Danielle Reese sent Swank home with an RBI single to right field. Reese moved to second thanks to a single by Amber Hawkins and Beth Hauser's RBI single to right field plated Reese. Redshirt sophomore Mollie Fowler pinch hit and the change in the lineup was a fortuitous one as Fowler pounded an RBI double to center field scoring Hawkins. Still with no outs, Phoenix pitcher Helterbran had a wild pitch that allowed Hauser to score and Fowler to move to third. With one out, Stephanie Beatty hit a frozen rope up the middle to score Fowler for the final run of the inning.

The Catamounts looked to be back in the game, down 9-5, with one more at bat promised to them. However, the Phoenix all but iced the game when they came back in the top of the seventh to post four additional runs capped by a homerun by Tracey Dahlen.

Reese led off the seventh inning by drawing a walk, which led to one additional run by the Catamounts. After freshman Amber Hawkins ground out, Hauser and Fowler each drew walks to load the bases. Heather Pritchard hit what would appear to be a sacrifice fly but the right fielder dropped the ball allowing Pritchard to reach first and Reese scored, but Fowler was out at second. The rally ended when Beatty flew out to right field.

Junior Lauren Ross took the loss in the game allowing four runs on seven hits and falls to 1-10 on the season. Catamount pitchers Lilly McDonagh and Michelle Tating also made appearances in the game.

Reese led the Catamounts at the plate going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Swank and Beatty also had two hits in the game.

Western Carolina will take a few days off and be back in action on March 29 when the Catamounts travel to Chattanooga. The doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. against the Mocs with the single game scheduled for 1 p.m. March 30.