March 29, 2008

Box Score

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Western Carolina softball was down 3-1 with two outs and a runner on first, in the top of the seventh inning, when the game was suspended due lightning. The conclusion of the game will be completed at noon Sunday prior to the start of the doubleheader.

With two outs, Lauren Ross drew a walk to extend the inning. Junior Keely Torgison came in to bat as a pinch hitter and the line was two outs, two balls and two strikes when lightning streaked across the sky forcing the game to be suspended.

Stephanie Beatty put Western Carolina on the board first with one swing of the bat. Beatty hit her first homerun of the season over the left field wall, with one out in the top of the second inning.

The Catamounts held Chattanooga scoreless before the Lady Mocs pushed a run across in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Katie Blevins drew a walk and moved to second off a wild pitch by Western Carolina hurler Lauren Ross. After striking out Laci Upchurch, Ross gave up an RBI double to Tiffany Baker to tie the game. Ross loaded the bases when she walked Brittany Eason and Ashlan Clarkson singled, but wiggled out of the jam when she struck out Tara Tembrey to end the inning.

Chattanooga took its first lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Ross gave up a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases for the second consecutive inning. Upchurch hit into a fielder's choice that caused a force out at third but pinch runner Della Harrison scored to give the Lady Mocs the 2-1 advantage.

Ross loaded the bases for a third straight inning in the bottom of the sixth inning. A pair of errors and a walk filled the bases with Lady Mocs. With one out, Ross did get Chattanooga's Michelle Fuzzard to strike out, but gave up the cheap run, when she walked Toni Hutchison to score the Lady Mocs' third run.