May 1, 2010

Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina softball (10-39, 2-17 SoCon) was swept by Samford (16-30, 7-13) 10-4, 9-0 in the Saturday Southern Conference doubleheader at the Catamount Softball Complex. Danielle Reese and Kristen Gay were honored in between games for Senior Day.

Samford took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning against starting Western Carolina pitcher Amber Steinhardt. With one out, the Bulldogs Katie England doubled and moved to third on the play. England scored off a bunt RBI by Amanda Barrs.

Western Carolina took its only lead of the game in the bottom of the second inning. Missy Wills drew a lead-off walk and moved to second off a single by senior Gay. With two outs, freshman second baseman Shemekia Scotten hit a two RBI single, scoring Wills and Gay.

The Bulldogs answered with runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to take the lead, scoring three in the third, one in the fourth and five in the fifth. The Catamounts tried to battle back by scoring runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

In the fifth inning, freshman third baseman Haley Pace hit a lead-off homerun to left center field, her team-leading fifth long ball of the season. It was a senior combo in the sixth inning. Gay lead off with her second hit of the game, a single to right field, and she scored thanks to a double by fellow senior Reese.

Steinhardt went 2.1 innings, allowing four runs on four hits, before being replaced by Katie King in the in the third inning. King completed the game allowing six runs on six hits and struck out four. Steinhardt took the loss, falling to 7-14 on the season. Samford pitcher Kayla Burris takes the win and improves to 2-2.

Gay led the Catamounts going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Scotten had two RBI in the game.

The second game was all Samford. King got the call to the mound again, in the second game. She went 3.1 innings, in the shortened five inning game, before being replaced by Chere Monday. King takes the loss, falling to 2-22, allowing nine runs on 11 hits. Monday held the Bulldogs scoreless, in 1.2 innings, giving up two hits and one walk.

Samford scored three runs in the first inning, one in the third and five runs in the fourth inning.

The Catamounts had four hits in the second game. Jordan Fulton, Scotten, Reese and Robyn Burnette each had hits in the contest.

Western Carolina closes out its three-game series with Samford at noon Sunday at the Catamount Softball Complex.