March 20, 2011

Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina softball (13-15, 0-6 SoCon) dropped the final game of the three-game Southern Conference series with Georgia Southern (13-17, 5-1 SoCon) 12-3 Sunday at the Catamount Softball Complex.

Georgia Southern benefitted from four homeruns in the game, including a grand-slam, in the third inning, by Marie Fogle. The 12 runs, and nine run lead, allowed the game to be halted after five innings. Fogle ended the game with two homeruns.

Three Western Carolina pitchers saw action. Junior Katie King started the game and went two innings, taking the loss and falling to 6-8. Bekah Burkett pitched for the second straight day going 2.1 innings and Amber Steinhardt came into the game in the top of the fifth.

The Eagles opened the game scoring three runs in the first inning. Western Carolina scored a run in the bottom half of the inning. With one out Jordan Fulton drew a walk and Morgan Wyatt was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. With two outs, Shemekia Scott hit a double to left centerfield, scoring Fulton. Wyatt blew past third base and got caught in a run down for the third out of the inning.

Western Carolina tied the game at three in the bottom of the second inning. Robyn Burnette drew a one out walk to start the scoring and she was followed by Makenzi McAteer reaching first, and Burnette moving to second, off an Eagle error. Amelia Griffin hit an RBI single past third base to plate Burnette for the Catamounts second run of the game. With two outs, Fulton motored to first on Georgia Southern's second error of the inning which also allowed Griffin to score and tie the game.

Georgia Southern knocked the game out of reach with an explosive six-run third inning. The Eagles had two homeruns in the inning, including Fogle's grand-slam. The Eagles tacked on three more runs in the top of the fifth to shorten the game.

The Catamounts had just three hits in the contest while Georgia Southern belted out 12.

Western Carolina will hit the road Tuesday for a non-conference match-up at Presbyterian College. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m.