April 2, 2010

Box Score

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Chattanooga (24-9, 7-0 Southern Conference) scored seven unanswered runs and defeated Western Carolina softball (4-23, 0-9 Southern Conference) 7-5 Friday at Frost Stadium.

The Catamounts scored the first five runs of the game and had the Mocs on the ropes after the first four innings. Chattanooga scored three runs in the fifth inning and four in the sixth to take the lead.

Both clubs went two scoreless innings before Western Carolina scored the first run of the game. Jordan Fulton led off the third inning with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Haley Pace. Fulton scored on a ground out RBI by Chelsea Schaffer.

Four Chattanooga errors assisted in helping Western Carolina post four runs in the top of the fourth inning. Colby Liles started off the inning reaching first on the Mocs' first error of the inning. Two more errors by Chattanooga, in consecutive plays, plated the first run of the inning, and the second of the game for the Catamounts. Katie King and pinch hitter Bekah Burkett each reached base on errors and pinch runner for Liles, Robyn Burnette, scored the first run of the inning.

The fourth inning continued for Western Carolina when Fulton picked up her second hit of the game, an RBI single to left field that scored King. A double down the left field line by Pace accounted for the third run of the inning, scoring Burkett. Fulton scored on a wild pitch by Chattanooga pitcher by Kandice Irwin who entered the game replacing starting pitcher Brooke Loudermilk.

Western Carolina had a chance to add to its lead in the fifth inning. Amber Steinhardt led off with a single through the left side, and after Liles struck out, King notched her second hit of the game - a single past the shortstop. Catcher Danielle Reese singled down the right side to load the bases with one out. Back-to-back strike outs by Burkett and Fulton ended the Catamount scoring chances.

Chattanooga began its rally in the bottom of the fifth. The Mocs' pulled within two runs but scoring three runs. With one out Lindley Hurndon singled and then Casey Tydingco doubleed. Lyndsey Stiles followed with an RBI single to score Hurndon. After Tydingco reached third she scored off a passed ball and Stiles scored off an RBI single by Tia Blosser. After Blosser's hit, King was replaced by Steinhardt who forced Chattanooga's Nikki Waters to ground out and end the inning.

In the sixth inning, Chattanooga took its first lead of the win and became the eventually winning inning. With two outs and a runner on second, Tydingco tripled to centerfield and scored Sara Poteat. Chattanooga tied the game and took the lead off a two RBI by Kaiti Kelley.

Because King had the lead when she left the game, Steinhardt takes the loss in the game and falls to 3-7 on the season. King and Fulton each had two hits in the game.

Western Carolina and Chattanooga complete its Southern Conference series on Saturday. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for noon.