April 9, 2008

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Western Carolina softball dropped a pair of games at No. 11 Tennessee Wednesday at Lee Stadium 11-0, 11-3. The Catamounts fall to 8-28 on the season while the Lady Vols improve to 40-7.

After being held scoreless in the first game of the doubleheader, Western Carolina scored early in the opening frame of the second game. Senior Jamie Swank reached first off a Tennessee error and was out at second when Casey Camp hit into a fielder's choice. Freshman Amber Hawkins singled through the left side and then she and Camp advanced to second and third off a wild pitch by Ashton Ward. Camp scored off the second wild pitch of the inning by Ward for the first Catamount run of the inning. After Beth Hauser drew a walk, junior Stephanie Beatty hit a frozen rope to down the left field line for a two RBI double.

Tennessee quickly answered in its half of the first inning with two runs to pull within one run. After holding the Lady Vols scoreless in the second inning, UT took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Tennessee added three runs in the fourth and three runs in the fifth to end the game after five.

Michelle Tating takes the loss for the Catamounts and falls to 4-6 on the season.

Tennessee exploded for 11 runs in the first two innings to force a shortened five-inning first game. The Lady Vols scored three runs in the first inning and eight in the second.

Both of Western Carolina's hits came in the fourth inning. Swank led off the inning reaching first off a Lady Vol miscue and then Hawkins got the first Catamount hit of the game, a single past the shortstop. Beatty hit a single to centerfield and Swank tried to go home but was thrown out at the plate.

Lauren Ross started the game on the mound and lasted 1.1 innings before she was replaced by junior Tating. Ross allowed 10 runs on six hits and struck out three, falling to 3-14 on the season. Tating tossed 2.2 innings of relief allowing one run on two hits and struck out two.

Western Carolina returns home for the first time in 20 days to host College of Charleston this weekend. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Catamount Softball Complex. The single game is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.