Feb. 13, 2011

Box Score

CARY, N.C. - Western Carolina softball swept Sunday's action at the Lady Eagle Invitational defeating host North Carolina Central 11-2 and Maryland Eastern Shore 16-0 at Thomas Brooks Park.

The Catamounts begin the season 4-0 for the first time in the program's seven year history. Western Carolina began its softball program in 2006. Overall, Western Carolina scored 57 runs in the four games played. In 2010, WCU scored a total of 154 runs in 53 games.

Erin Foster, a junior college transfer from Walter State, had a huge weekend in her first games in a Western Carolina uniform. She ended the four contests with nine hits, 11 RBI, six runs scored, two homeruns and a double.

The final day of action began with Western Carolina matched up against host North Carolina Central. The Catamounts didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard, posting six runs in the top of the first inning.

The opening frame was highlighted by Shemekia Scotton hitting the first homerun of her career, and first homerun of the season; sending in three runs. Overall, Western Carolina got six runs on six hits.

The Catamounts scored a run in the second and four in the second before North Carolina Central scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Sophomore pitcher Amber Steinhardt improved to 2-0 on the mound earning a victory against North Carolina Central. She allowed two runs on four hits and struck out one.

Foster led WCU against the Lady Eagles going 3-for-4 with four RBI and a double. Scotton also ended the game with four RBI.

In the final game of the tournament, Western Carolina earned its first shutout of the season on the arm of junior lefty hurler Katie King. She also got the offensive output, as the Catamounts scorched the first inning with 11 runs. King earned her first win of the season allowing just two hits and striking out two in the five inning game.

The Catamounts went through their lineup and started again in the first inning. Western Carolina took the early lead with 11 runs on seven hits and also benefitted from four Maryland Eastern Shore errors. Foster had a huge first inning, with two homeruns in the inning accounting for five of the 11 runs scored.

Western Carolina added three runs in the second inning and two runs in the third. The Catamounts had a pair of extra base hits in the second inning. Jordan Fulton had a double which set up and two RBI single by Makenzi McAteer that scored Fulton and Steinhardt. Robyn's Burnette's triple accounted for the third run in the inning, scoring Amelia Griffin.

In the third inning, Scotton hit her second homerun of the day. With two outs, Steinhardt singled and Scotton followed with a homerun for the two runs in the third.

Four Catamounts had multiple hits in the game against Maryland Eastern Shore. Steinhardt went 3-for3 in the game, Burnette went 2-for2 and Foster and Fulton went were 2-for-3. Foster led the Catamounts with five RBI.

Western Carolina travels to Orangeburg, S.C. Wednesday for a doubleheader with South Carolina State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.