April 20, 2010

Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Freshman hurler Amber Steinhardt hit a game-high two homeruns, and picked up a win on the mound, in Western Carolina softball's (8-35) 11-2 win over Mars Hill (26-14) Tuesday at the Catamount Softball Complex. The second game of the doubleheader was called in the first inning due to heavy rains blanketing the area.

The Catamounts scored runs in three of the five innings, including six runs in the second inning, to secure the win. Steinhardt tossed two scoreless innings before giving up a pair of runs in the second inning, a two-run homerun by Ashley Seawall, to break up the shutout.

Freshman Jordan Fulton opened the bottom of the first inning with a single up the middle and stole second. With one out, Haley Pace walked and she and Fulton pulled off a double steal to put runners in scoring position. Fulton now has 14 stolen bases this season, which is the single-season record, and is currently tied for third in career stolen bases. Colby Liles ground out, but it allowed Fulton to score the first run of the game. With two outs Steinhardt hit the first of two homeruns in the game, when she sent a shot over the left field wall, for the two RBI long ball.

In the Catamounts' biggest inning of the game, Robyn Burnette opened the bottom of the second with a single and proceeded to steal second. Fulton reached first on a Mars Hill error and Burnette and Fulton scored off a two RBI single by Shemekia Scotten. Liles drew a one out walk to set up Steinhardt's second homerun of the game, a three RBI shot over the left field wall. Missy Wills followed with a double and after Kristen Gay reached on an error, Wills went home on the ensuing micre. The game was halted in the second inning, after Western Carolina scored its sixth run, when heavy rains hit the area. After it resumed, Reese drew a walk was caught stealing and then Burnette struck out to end the inning.

After giving up the two runs in the third inning, Western Carolina got the two runs back in the bottom of the third. Fulton singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Scotten and then advanced to third. Pace followed with a single and advanced to second on a Mars Hill error, and moved to third. Fulton scored on the play. Sitting at third, Pace went home on a wild pitch by Lions' relief pitcher Taylor Morris.

Steinhardt went five innings allowing two runs, on two hits and struck out two. She improves to 5-12 on the season. At the plate, she went 2-for-3, with two homeruns, two runs scored and a game-high five RBI. Fulton also had two hits in the game.

Western Carolina hosts its final mid-week game of the season Thursday when it hosts Winston-Salem State. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 4 p.m.